Case Study Analysis: Ethical Challenges in Nursing and Patient Care

This case study presents an ethical dilemma faced by a nurse, Sam, concerning a patient, Jessica, who may be pregnant and wishes to keep it secret from her mother. The assignment requires defining the ethical problem, identifying relevant ethical and legal principles (beneficence, care coordination), and exploring two options for Sam's response. The core of the analysis involves reflecting on these options and providing a rationale for the preferred course of action, emphasizing the importance of beneficence and patient autonomy, while also considering the need to involve the patient's mother due to the patient's age and potential risks. The solution emphasizes the importance of balancing the patient's wishes with the need to provide the best possible care and support, including emotional support and counseling. The assignment also highlights the importance of respecting patient rights, maintaining confidentiality, and coordinating care with a multidisciplinary team. The conclusion supports the involvement of parents while providing patient-centered care.

CASE STUDY

Table of Contents
1. Define the problem - Objectively note the ethical issue that the nurse (Sam) must address. .3
2. Ethical and legal principles that applies to the case study.....................................................3
3.Identification of 2 options available to Sam in addressing the ethical problem.....................4
4. Reflect on the options identified in question 3 and present a rationale as to which ONE of
the options you would follow if you were in Sam’s position.....................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

1. Define the problem - Objectively note the ethical issue that the nurse (Sam) must address
This case study is regarding a girl Jessica fainted during an event. Nurse observed that
there were no signs of any nutrients deficiency which can cause her to collapse. Therefore, she
asked several questions such as whether the girl intakes iron-rich food or whether she menstruate
or not or regarding sexually activeness. Due to which she got upset and admitted that she might
be pregnant and does not want that anyone should know that especially her mother. The major
ethical issues that has been aroused are problem related to Beneficence as well as Care
Coordination and integration (McSherry, 2016, pp.75-96) . As patient was unaware regarding
the situation it will face and there was need to inform parents in such a way that this problem
might get an effective solution. It should be in such a way that
2. Ethical and legal principles that applies to the case study
It includes that the treatment which is given should be with respect, fair and justified.
There must be transparent and autonomous protection which must be provided to the patient
according to will. This is regarded to be very important as it is the action that is performed for
benefiting others . Related actions should be taken for preventing or removing harms or
simplifying any particular situation. There should be proper balance of autonomy and
beneficence. It is the duty of a doctor or nurse to look out for best interest of patient. As the
patient reaches criteria for having autonomous choices and also physician should respect the
decision even trying for convincing patient otherwise. Care coordination as well as integration is
another aspect that is considered to be including all caring activities for every kind of discipline
which is involved with caring patient that should be coordinated for increasing the focus on
patient (The Core Competencies Needed for Health Care Professionals, 2018). For smoothing
process of coordination, there is a need for working with multidisciplinary team for fostering
patient centred care. The situation which Sam was facing was exactly the same she has to
respect beneficence of Jessica but should find out some solution for handling situation while
protecting information of the patient. Apart from that, there was need to respect, her fear which
might was due to her mother but it was required to inform mother (Lewis and et.al., 2016).
Jessica must be provided key information for making them aware in order to tackle situation. It
is very important to boost up engagement of both Sam and her in order to provide right decision
for handling mother ad daughter relation regarding issue she is facing.

3.Identification of 2 options available to Sam in addressing the ethical problem
The concept of Beneficence is very important on commitment for promoting well being
of a client. This concept works on acting according to the interest and expectation of patient
which is based on particular professional assessment. This directs attention from working strictly
under limits of competency and also providing services according to training or experience
which is provided. Interest of client achieved through systematic monitoring of practices as well
as outcomes through best means which are available (Griffith, 2015). This measure is regarded
to be essential because an obligation is there for using regular as well as on going supervision for
enhancing quality services through continuous professional development.
Apart from that, there must be a respect for patient's right and self governing. This
principle focuses on the developing ability of self directing under therapy and other aspects of
life. Nurse must ensure accuracy of treatment or solution which she will going to give Jessica
which must be beneficial for her and future. She must be engaged in protecting privacy,
confidentiality and normal disclosure of several confidential information on consent of the er[son
who is concerned and inform patient in advance regarding conflicts or interest that starts to occur
soon as it starts arriving. Also, this concept opposes against manipulation of many clients against
their will (Smith and Wolf, 2018). It is very important to include the family input and design the
treatment in a such a way while taking consent with the parents or guardians of patients. With
his best remedies can be taken out with complete emotional support that is very important for
the patient.
4. Reflect on the options identified in question 3 and present a rationale as to which ONE of the
options you would follow if you were in Sam’s position.
According to me Beneficence is very important principle which is needed to be applied.
According to me there are certain aspects taken in consideration and must be in accordance to
patient. It provides emotional support which is required to be treated well. But in case study the
scenario which is given is very serious and needed to be taken carefully (Charania and et.al.,
2017). As girl is an adolescent which means not completely adult and might not have complete
awareness regarding pregnancy and other measures for having a safe intercourse with other
partner. The symptoms which her mother told can be regarded in support of it. Therefore, there is
a requirement for making her understand kind of situation she might can face if right decisions
were not taken properly. It is very important to involve the consent of parents for such situations.

But before this, it is crucial to have a conversation with Jessica mother in order to handle
situation and act in accordance to issue that she is facing. For the particular scenario, parent's
support was very necessary as there can be suicidal tendency which might be possessed by girl
(Slatyer and et.al., 2016). A mutual solution is needed to be taken out so that patient will be
provided effective treatment. Jessica should be enlightened regarding the pros and cons of
future circumstances she would going to face with respect to society and other elements that can
disturb her mentally as well as emotionally. In initial assessment encouragement of patients was
required for sharing values, needs and preferences which is related to health care as it will lead to
form a base plan for proper caring and treatment. A customised caring framework is developed
that is also culturally appropriate. Apart from that, I could have develop a relation of trust with
her with good interpersonal conversation which might be conducted with her . It is very
important for me as a nurse to provide her impartial and fair treatment and provision of
associated services. It is very important to understand human right; therefore, it was important
to respect her fear of not telling anything to her mother. But as a matured adult, it is my duty to
take correct measure which can benefit patient and her family. Involvement of mother was
important remedies can only be provided in her guidance and consent (Timmins and et.al.,
2015). Apart from that, counselling can be regarded as one of the best solution that can be
provided to her for building up her morale. The concept of self-respect motivates active
involvement in life-promoting activities as well as relationships that are independent of any
relationships in counselling or even psychotherapy. There is a responsibility for using
supervision for professional and personal support as well as development.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Lewis, S. L. and et.al., 2016. Medical-Surgical Nursing-E-Book: Assessment and Management
of Clinical Problems, Single Volume. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Smith, A. J., and Wolf, L. A. , 2018. “What are you Measuring?” Choosing an Appropriate
Instrument to Measure Nursing Concepts. Journal of Emergency Nursing. 44(1). 97-98.
Timmins, F. and et.al., 2015. An exploration of the extent of inclusion of spirituality and
spiritual care concepts in core nursing textbooks. Nurse education today. 35(1). 277-282.
McSherry, W., 2016. Reintegrating spirituality and dignity in nursing and health care: A
relational model of practice. Stories of Dignity within Healthcare: Research, Narratives
and Theories. Edited by O. Tranvåg, O. Synnes and W. McSherry. Keswick: M&K
Publishing, pp.75-96.
Griffith, R., 2015. Accountability in district nursing practice: key concepts. British journal of
community nursing. 20(3). pp.146-149.
Slatyer, S. and et.al., 2016. Professional practice models for nursing: a review of the literature
and synthesis of key components. Journal of nursing management. 24(2). pp.139-150.
Charania, N. A. M. A. and et.al., 2017. A professionalism and safety code of conduct designed
for undergraduate nursing students. Journal of Professional Nursing. 33(6). pp.460-463.
Online
The Core Competencies Needed for Health Care Professionals. 2018. [online]. Available
Through <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK221519/>

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