Legal and Professional Issues in Nursing Case Study 2022

Running head: LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN NURSING
LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN NURSING
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author’s name

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LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN NURSING
Question 1:
The case study reveals a scenario where an 81 year old patient with a multiple health
condition was seeking medical treatment. Initially, the patient was admitted in the hospital after
complaining of two nights of breathlessness and a shortness of breath when she was lying flat.
Upon examination she was found to have fine creps at both of her lungs and a slight elevated
venous pressure. The renal function was found to be normal and she was commenced on Lasix
that was administered orally. However, the symptoms were persistent and were not improving
even after administration of the dug. Upon admission to the hospital, the Visiting Medical
Officer (VMO) prescribed for an x-ray of the chest followed by blood tests. The patient was also
noted with diarrhoea and right sided tenderness of the abdomen. Therefore, the doctor organized
a ventilation or perfusion (V/Q) lung scan. Following her admission to the ward, she was found
with her symptoms worsening with time with the onset of dizziness, weakness and abdominal
pain. During the course of the patient’s hospitalisation, the patient was found to be refusing food
and liquid and eventually became weak and had severe abdominal pain. On further assessment,
the patient was found to be depressed and anxious. The patient’s condition was seem to be
deteriorating with time and was found to have lack of interest in eating and drinking. At the
initial stage, the respiratory rate was recorded as 28-30 per minute indicating the urgency of an
oxygen therapy. The patient’s condition was found to be deteriorating progressively with time.
The respiratory rate of the patient was recorded as 40 per min which is much higher. The normal
respiratory rate ranges from 12-20 breaths per minute. A respiratory rate under 12 or over 25 is
considered to be abnormal and needs immediate assistance. The diagnosis shows that the patient
had atrial fibrillation and a condition of tachycardia at 122 per minute characterised by an

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LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN NURSING
abnormal heart rate which can lead to further complications if not treated. On monitoring the
vital signs and symptoms of the patient, the patient was found to have severe back pain; her skin
was cold and clammy. The BSL recoded was 16.1 mmmol/L which is much higher. The heart
rate of a normal person ranges from 60-100 beats per minutes, whereas, the ECG report of the
patient showed a heart rate of 168 per minute. She was on the Digoxin which is used for the
treatment of heart failure and other conditions like atrial fibrillation. However, the patient’s
condition did not improve. Following day, the patient was taken for further assessments like
abdominal x ray and other pathological tests but her condition was deteriorating and showed no
signs of improvement.
In the afternoon shift the patient was monitored by the RN John. The patient reported of
feeling unwell and having an abdominal pain to another nursing staff. Her vital signs showed a
higher respiratory rate and a very low blood pressure. Though, she informed John about this but
he delayed to take any actions. On reporting these to the respondent, no immediate actions were
taken as such. The respondent informed the Clinical nurse manager for arranging some
medications for the patient. After subsequent hours, they completed an ISBAR form
recommending the patient’s condition to be reviewed ASAP and also stated to inform her family.
The patient was found to be critically ill and was immediately shifted to the Emergency unit
where the doctor inserted a large bore IV cannula for treating dehydration. In the course of her
treatment several attempts were made to treat her critical condition. Despite of all the efforts the
patient could not be saved and died with septicaemia the following morning.