Legal and Ethical Decision-Making in Health Care

Ethics Law and Health Care

Table of Contents
Table of Contents........................................................................................................ 1
Legal and ethical decision-making framework....................................................................2
Identification of issue......................................................................................... 2
Evaluation........................................................................................................... 2
Action................................................................................................................. 5
Implement.......................................................................................................... 6
Reflection........................................................................................................... 6
References................................................................................................................ 8
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Legal and ethical decision-making framework
Identification of the issue
The case depicts Sabrina was being physically abused which imposed negative impact on her
health. Sabrina told that the notes and symptoms depicted that she is pregnant. Sabrina
disclosed that it is a boy at her school who did this. Sabrina requested not to disclose this
matter because her dad is very cruel. Sabrina’s father beaten her for breaking a glass and
there were three large bruises on the upper body. The case depicts that boy at the school of
Sabrina and the father is responsible for the physical abuse as per the law. The nurse
provided advice to Sabrina about nutrition and pregnancy care and also the contact details
and name of an obstetrician (Espejo, 2010). Sabrina forgot to take the paper consisting of the
details of an obstetrician. Ning is concerned about the welfare of Sabrina. She is worried that
Sabrina is not safe at home and she is also thinking to contact Sabrina’s mother. It shows the
physical abuse of Sabrina and the health of her was being adversely affected. The nurse is
also concerned that Sabrina can also seek an abortion without getting appropriate advice. The
ethical and legal issues have arisen which need to be taken into account by Ning.
Evaluation
Ning have to understand the needs and problems of Sabria on the basis of ethical frameworks.
The nurse should understand that if appropriate care is not provided to Sabrina then it will
lead to an increase in health risk. The roles and responsibilities needs to be carried out on the
basis of the ethical framework.
Ethical principle
The ethical principles should be taken into account by Ning before making decisions. The
principles are as follows:
Autonomy
Autonomy is referred to as the obligation of respecting the autonomy of other individuals. It
is the respect given to the decisions or opinions of individuals concerning their own lives.
The principle is also known as human dignity. Sabrina lacks capacity but the autonomy of her
is still very much important (Husted & Husted, 2009). Ning has to respect the decisions and
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