University of Example: Reflection on Ethical Dilemma in Patient Care

This report presents a student's reflection on a challenging patient care scenario involving a patient with bipolar disorder who was admitted after a fall and became agitated, leading to the use of physical restraints. The student reflects on the ethical implications of this action, particularly concerning the principle of non-maleficence, and the impact on the patient's physical and emotional well-being. The report discusses the student's emotional response, the realization that the approach was flawed, and the importance of exploring alternative interventions. It references relevant literature highlighting the negative effects of physical restraints on patient autonomy and dignity, and concludes with a plan for improvement. The student intends to research evidence-based practices and seek guidance from their mentor to better manage similar situations and uphold ethical standards in patient care.

Running head: REFLECTION
REFLECTION
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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REFLECTION
Objective: Able to maintain the bioethical principle of non-maleficence and professional codes
of conduct
Description of the event:
A patient named Sandra Jones was admitted to the ward after she fell from the stairs in her
house. She had bipolar disorder and often had mood swings. She did not want to stay in the
hospital but her mother was adamant that she would be safe within the healthcare. However,
there was an instance when she attacked the staff nurses with the surgical instruments when her
wound dressing was done. This made me put physical restraints on her so that both she and
others remain safe. This harmed her more as she became violent, and the restraints bruised her.
She also became mentally depressed and cried a lot in front of her mother.
Feeling:
I was upset as well as embarrassed when my mentor scolded me about my approach. I was also
feeling guilty as my approach had made the patient go through emotional as well as physical
turmoil.
Evaluation:
The bad part of the incident was that my approach had been wrong. I should have immediately
taken the help of other alternatives. This had affected the autonomy and dignity of the patient.
She felt disrespected and she had to go through physical pain as well. The good part was that I
realised my approach was not right
Analysis:

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Physical restraints are highly criticised by healthcare researchers. It is stated that it affects the
mental and physical stability of the patient affecting their human rights (Howatson-Jones, 2016).
Professionals should never consider it as a n intervention and should apply other interventions to
handle the situation.
Conclusion and action plan:
I should g through evidence-based articles and should interact with my mentor. I would find out
the initiatives that I need to take when patients become aggressive or tries to harm others as well
as ownself.
Literature:
Physical restraints should ever be considered as an intervention as it affects the autonomy and
dignity of patients, result in their mental as well as physical suffering (vander Kooi et al., 2015).
This makes the nurses breach the principle of ethics of non-maleficence.

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References:
Howatson-Jones, L. (2016). Reflective practice in nursing. Learning Matters.
van der Kooi, A. W., Peelen, L. M., Raijmakers, R. J., Vroegop, R. L., Bakker, D. F., Tekatli, H.,
... & Slooter, A. J. (2015). Use of physical restraints in Dutch intensive care units: a
prospective multicenter study. American Journal of Critical Care, 24(6), 488-495.