Leadership Qualities of Nurse - Accountability Case Study Analysis

This case study examines the critical issue of nurse accountability through the analysis of a specific incident involving Nurse Mavis Lopez. The scenario details a situation where Nurse Lopez, a trainee, administered medication intravenously to a patient who was experiencing difficulty swallowing oral tablets, without proper authorization or consultation with senior staff. This action, which resulted in the patient's death, highlights a significant failure in adhering to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) standards of practice, specifically regarding decision-making, professional relationships, and safe patient care. The assignment emphasizes the importance of accountability, responsibility, and adherence to established protocols in nursing practice, referencing specific NMBA standards that were not followed. It underscores the significance of seeking guidance, reporting actions, and understanding the implications of clinical decisions to ensure patient safety and uphold ethical standards. The case study serves as a learning tool, demonstrating the consequences of lacking accountability and the importance of utilizing decision-making frameworks to minimize risks in nursing practice.

Running head: LEADERSHIP QUALITIES OF NURSE - ACCOUNTABILITY
Leadership Qualities of Nurse
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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LEADERSHIP QUALITIES OF NURSE - ACCOUNTABILITY
ACCOUNTABILITY
Dot points:
The general definition of leadership accountability: Accountability is an outstanding
leadership quality.
Nursing Importance /definition: Accountability is essential for the registered nurse for
monitoring and evaluating the effect of any care that has been delegated.
How Ms. Lopez lacked accountability: Ms. Lopez lacked the knowledge and the
responsibilities but did not seek help from a supervisor, which is not following the nursing
standards and laws.
Nursing standards: did not adhere to 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.9, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 6.6
Solution: NMBA decision-making framework.
Accountability also termed as responsibility, which is an outstanding leadership
quality. It is one of the most crucial parameters for registered nurses during practice.
Accountability is vital for the Registered Nurse for monitoring and evaluating the
effect of any responsibility that has been assign. The duties of a registered nurse depend
mostly on the patient health care system. However, a registered nurse also performs several
other responsibilities, including consultation with other healthcare professionals, and
monitoring the patients (Johnstone and Facn 2019).
From the above case study, it has been seen that Ms. Lopez joined as a trainee in the
hospital. In the year of January 2007, when her patient Nymphaea feeling much discomfort

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and having difficulties swallowing her tablets, in that critical situation, she does not consult
any senior nurse or ward doctor; instead, she alone makes her own discission for her patient,
which is mainly against the standard practice laws for nurses (NMBA). And also, Ms. Lopez
did not report her actions to anyone throughout her training period, as well as she does not
feel any guilt for her actions. This actions of Ms. Lopez clearly stated that she lacks
accountability.
Nurse Lopez did not use proper accountability as well as the responsibility on that
specific day, to ensure the safe health practice outcome for her patient. Ms. Lopez did not
follow 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.9, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, and 6.6 of the NMBA professional standards
(https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-
standards/registered-nurse-standards-for-practice.aspx 2020). All these standards mainly
focus on therapeutic and professionals relationships, as well as it also focuses on safe,
appropriate, and responsive quality nursing practice.
If Ms. Lopez used the accountability and responsibility outline that provided by the
NMBA, then the risk of this incident happening would have been minimalized.
The NMBA Accountability tool and decision making framework mainly focus on
several plans for nursing practice, it also evaluates all the outcomes for nursing training, and
it also provides a safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing care. And these tools guide
helps the nurses to make a proper decision during a difficult situation.

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References:
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-
standards/registered-nurse-standards-for-practice.aspx (2020). Nursing and Midwifery Board
of Australia - Registered nurse standards for practice. [online]
Nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au. Available
at:https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-
standards/registered-nurse-standards-for-practice.aspx [Accessed 11 Feb. 2020].
Johnstone, M.J. and Facn, P.B.R., 2019. Bioethics: a nursing perspective. Elsevier.

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