Analyzing Nursing Ethics: A Case Study on Patient Confidentiality

This essay presents a case study encountered during a nursing student's clinical experience, focusing on the ethical considerations involved in caring for a young HIV-positive patient. The report aligns the case with Provision 3 of the ANA's nursing code of ethics, emphasizing the nurse's role as a patient advocate and protector of patient rights. The narrative details an incident where the student inadvertently compromised the patient's privacy, leading to social stigmatization and emotional distress. The essay reflects on the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and adherence to ethical standards in nursing practice, highlighting lessons learned and future commitments to upholding patient dignity and privacy. The student acknowledges the need for continuous improvement in ethical decision-making and competent, evidence-based nursing care.

Running head: NURSING ETHICS
NURSING ETHICS
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

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Introduction
Codes of ethics in nursing are developed as guides for the nurses that help them to
practice a comprehensive, ethical and safe care for the patients. This report focuses on a case
study that I have encountered in my career as a student nurse. In this report I will tally my case
study with the provision 3 of the nursing codes of ethics by ANA, which defines that a nurse
should be able to advocate for the patient and will be able to protect the health and safety rights
of the patient.
Brief overview of the case
In my academic career as a nursing student I was appointed to take the charge of a young
Iranian immigrant patient, who had been suffering from HIV infections. The boy was 21 years
old and was suffering from acute dehydration symptoms along with nausea. I was performing
well on my part to give the best care to the patient. I was well aware of checking and cross
checking the medications. HIV patients are more susceptible to infections and hence should be
provided with an extra infection control procedures.
According to the provision 3 of the nursing codes of ethics, a nurse should be the patient's
advocate for maintaining the privacy and the confidentiality (Code of Ethics for Nurses, 2018).
As a nurse I was able to stem the principles of autonomy of the patient. In this case, the young
patient refused to accompany him to the toilet. Hence as a nurse I thought of maintaining the
minimum dignity of the patient and allowed so. The patient belonged to an Iranian background
and wanted the procedures like shaving and bathing to be done by someone of the same gender.
As a nurse it is my professional duty to offer a culturally safe care to the patient.

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There had been a mistake on my part that is I need to be more careful in maintaining the
privacy of the patient. I could have made the clinical discussions more privately such that it is
not overheard, but somehow it was violated. The patient who was just next to the Iranian patient
stopped interacting with the young boy for an unknown reason. I should have been more careful.
It has to be remembered that HIV is stigmatized in many cultures and they are often debarred
from socialization, traveling and getting access to the heath care. Fear and embarrassment may
further deteriorate the physical and the emotional well being of the patient (Ivanov & Oden,
2013). Nevertheless the patient was suffering from low self esteem and his dignity was in vein.
My peers and the registered nurses reminded me of the codes of ethics and I was ashamed on my
part for overlooking such an important issue.
In order to prevent the violation of the code, all the clinical proceedings and discussions
with the family could have been done at some private space. The psychological distress caused
to the patient also disturbed the family. The well being of the patient was jeopardized which
shook the fundamental trust among the patient and the caregiver.
Form that case onwards; I made it sure to safeguard the privacy right of the patients,
families and the communities. A nurse should be the pioneer to maintain confidentiality of all the
patient information, both clinical and personal in all circumstances. It is also necessary to
maintain privacy of the clinical information from the social media. (Henderson & Dahnke,
2015). As a nurse I made it sure to report to the appropriate oversight bodies if any breaching of
the standards is noticed. I made it sure to be competent enough to practice evidence based
nursing to patients. Finally I should have the acceptance towards any religion or mentality in
order to maintain culturally safe care. As a nurse I should be alert and should take appropriate
decisions against any incompetent, illegal and unethical practice. I ensure that I would abide by

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all the policies of the organization and assist my peers whose performance can be affected by the
physical and mental illness or fatigue.

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References
Code of Ethics for Nurses (2018). Nursingworld.org. Retrieved 10 February 2018, from
http://nursingworld.org/DocumentVault/Ethics-1/Code-of-Ethics-for-Nurses.html
Henderson, M., & Dahnke, M. D. (2015). The ethical use of social media in nursing
practice. MedSurg Nursing, 24(1), 62-65.
Ivanov, L. L., & Oden, T. L. (2013). Public health nursing, ethics and human rights. Public
Health Nursing, 30(3), 231-238.
Lachman, V. D. (2012). Applying the ethics of care to your nursing practice. Medsurg
Nursing, 21(2), 112.