THE NURSING CONSIDERATIONS

Running Head: NURSING CONSIDERATIONS 1
Nursing Ethical, Professional and Legal Considerations
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NURSING CONSIDERATIONS 2
Introduction
Nurses in the clinical setting are guided by ethical, legal, and professional requirements
that they should adhere to. They help in providing a practical basis for identification of what
kinds of motives, actions, and intentions are valued. The three requirements are essential since
they assist nurses in recognizing healthcare impasses, make sound and informed decisions and
judgements grounded on their values while keeping within laws governing them. The patient
safety and wellbeing at most times depend on the capability of the nurse to adhere to those three
requirements. This essay aims to analyses legal, ethical, and professional considerations based
on Kate's conduct with Billy.
Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations are values that nurses and other healthcare providers should
respect and abide by while working with patients. They include;
Beneficence
This ethical principle requires that nurses’ actions should be aimed at promoting good.
Doing good incorporates doing what is best for the patient. The nurse should be obligated to
protect their patients from harm by preventing and removing bad situations and promote good
ones (McDermott-Levy, Leffers & Mayaka, 2018). In the case study, Kate conforms to this
ethical principle by caring for Billy on several occasions while he was receiving treatment. But
also she compromised this principle by having a sexual and romantic relationship with Billy
because she was not doing good to Billy. The relationship is not good since it can compromise
Billy's safety by not seeking his medical results, and doctors notes himself and rely on Kate to
inform him.

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS 3
The principle of justice
Justice necessitates equality, impartiality, and fairness to all people. It is the obligation
to treat all people in a fair way (Papastavrou, Igoumenidis & Lemonidou, 2020). In the case
scenario, Kate violated this principle. Kate compromised the principle by according Billy special
care because they were dating and hence became more close. Kate used to inform him of his
medical information, and this was not being done to other patients and seems like favoritism.
Legal Considerations
The legal requirements of a nurse are tied to federal and state laws and licensure
standards. They include;
Protection of Privacy and Confidentiality
The Australian Privacy Principles necessitate for protection of privacy and
confidentiality. The confidentiality of a patient is paramount. Any information of the patient
must be handled with privacy (Lee, 2017). In the case scenario, the doctor allowed Kate to
access Billy's medical notes during his recovery, which is a breach of confidentiality. Medical
records are considered as a piece of personal information (Kim, Han & Kim, 2017). The fact that
Billy and Kate are dating does not allow Kate access to Billy’s medical issues, especially from
other medical workers, there is some medical privacy even from the spouse, and it seems by Kate
dating Billy she is compromising Billy's wellbeing.
Being clear concerning boundaries
As a licensed nurse, one is accountable for establishing and maintaining professional
boundaries with the patient. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia requires nurses to