NFDN 1001: Nursing Case Study Analysis on Ethics and Patient Care

This report analyzes four nursing case studies, addressing ethical dilemmas, legal considerations, and the application of nursing values within the Canadian healthcare system. The introduction sets the context by discussing the importance of nursing ethics, values, and principles in delivering effective and safe patient care. Case Study 1 examines a nurse's interaction with a patient who refuses medical advice for ulcerated sores, prompting a discussion on patient autonomy, beneficence, and the ethical principles of consent. Case Study 2 explores a nurse's role in recommending skincare solutions for a child's rash, emphasizing the duty of care and ethical considerations in pediatric health. Case Study 3 addresses a practical nurse's work-life stress and the role of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) in ensuring ethical and competent healthcare services. Finally, Case Study 4 focuses on a conflict of interest scenario involving a patient's blood transfusion, highlighting the nurse's accountability and adherence to professional legal requirements. The conclusion summarizes the ethical, legal, and practical implications of these scenarios within the nursing profession.

Running Head: NURSING
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Nursing
3/6/2019

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Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
Case Study 1:.........................................................................................................................................3
Q1......................................................................................................................................................3
Case study 2:.........................................................................................................................................4
Q1......................................................................................................................................................4
Case study 3:.........................................................................................................................................4
Q1......................................................................................................................................................4
Case Study 4:.........................................................................................................................................5
Q1......................................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................5
References.............................................................................................................................................7

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Introduction
The report brings about the discussion on the value, ethics, and principles of the
nursing practices in context to the Canadian Healthcare system. These aspects play an
important role in delivering effective and safe care to the individuals. Therefore, these
concepts will be assessed through the four case studies given and the report will answer the
questions accordingly.
Case Study 1:
Q1.
The case represented the issue of ulcerated sores in the right leg of a patient, Antonio,
who is less bothered about taking care of the problem. It is evident from the case, that on the
recommendation of his nurse, Dan to Antonio he refused for consulting to a physician. Thus,
this act or behaviour of the patient describes the negative attitude towards overlooking his
health condition. Nurses face ethical dilemmas in their daily practice, regardless of the
country or region of practice. The Canadian health care system has well established which
lists some provisions of the code of practice in context to the health and wellbeing of the
patient.
A nurse has the responsibility of the commitment for the patient, and their family
members, therefore, a nurse advocate for, and strive to attain protect health and rights of the
patient. Thus, in this situation being a nurse I would first recommend him to take care of his
skin, as it is important undertaking good skin care in the case of ulcerated sores in legs.
Being, in the role of nurse, I would have shown respect to the aspect of autonomy, and
decision-making capacity of the patient, as he has the right to accept or refuse the treatment
or attending to a physician. Paramount is the ethical principle of beneficence. Thus, it is also
important to provide him benefits, which will include making him aware of the issues and
consequences of the ulcerated sores in his legs, by first analysing the importance of good skin
care. The ethics or legislations in this case are the consent to medical care and the right to
refuse care (Oomens et al., 2015).

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Case study 2:
Q1.
The case highlights the issue of identifying the patient’s health at risk or problem,
which may occur and cause major issues later on. The case mentions the problem of the issue
of rashes on the abdomen, and the back of a 5-year old boy of the nurse’s friend. Thus, it
identifies an important role of the nurse, Tisza to recommend some medications or cream to
deal with the issue. Thus, it is essential to recommend effective skincare medications,
creams, lotions or any other drug used for the small child. Rashes on the skin refer to the
symptoms, which causes the affected area of the skin to be turned red and blotchy and creates
the swelling to the part of the skin. It has been analysed that rashes on the abdomen may be
caused because of an allergic reaction to the food eaten, medications or drugs, or may be due
to lotions or detergents (Berg, Simonsen & Svensson, 2018).
Therefore, in this situation I would help the woman to ensure her son to be protected
against other issues related to the rashes on the abdomen and back itching. Moreover, I
would have guided her to take care of the food to be given to the child, and avoiding
anything, which may affect his skin or health, and use the skin care products specified for
small children. Being a nurse practitioner, it is an essential duty of care to ensure protection
and promotion of the health of the child or individual against any health problem. Ethics in
this case, play an important role in nursing care or delivering care services to the child
(Urden, Stacy & Lough, 2019).
Case study 3:
Q1.
The third case study is the demonstration of the work life stress or issues faced by
Betty, who is a practical nurse. She has not mentioned about any particular patient or the
actual cause of her situation. However, the case of Betty, i.e. a practical nurse reported at
CLPNA, referred to as the College of Licensed Practical Nurse Of Alberta. The institution is
the regulatory (or licensed) organisation, which has established to provide help to the users of
Alberta. The main aim or purpose of this organisation is to ensure safety, ethical, and
competent healthcare services (Nowrouzi et al., 2016).

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The Canadian Nurse Association (CNA) believed in the fact the fatigued nurses will
influence the health and wellbeing of the patients along with themselves, which may further
lead to bigger problems. Thus, it is understood that the case of Betty to be reported to
CLPNA, was right, CLPNA, is the governing body which enlist some code of ethics wherein
one important is ‘Responsibility to oneself’. The practical nurses are supposed to perform
their duties, showing commitment towards their clients, and assuring them best health and
wellbeing. The rationale or reason behind reporting the case of Betty to the CLPNA was that
it enforces the standards and practices of nursing which essentially determine the roles and
responsibilities of the nurses towards public (Tarnowski et al., 2017).
Case Study 4:
Q1.
The case represented the issue of conflict of interests in the nursing profession, which
is one major problem in assuring the best and effective treatment to the person or patient. Mr
Shekhar has admitted to the hospital due to the reason of his chronic health condition, which
demonstrated about the ‘blood transfusion’ as a major part of his treatment. The response to
this requirement of the patient’s treatment was not suitable as per the opinion of the nurse
Samantha assigned to undertake the care of the person/patient (Strauss, 2018).
Thus, in context to the above scenario or situational case, it can be stated that a nurse
or a health professional must perform and show accountability in accordance to the
requirements of the treatment. Therefore, Samantha is legally bound to the legal
requirements of their profession, which states them to comply with the requirements and
procedure the treatment. As nurses are the first advocates of their patients, thus Samantha
must listen and work in guidance to the health professionals and doctors, which is legally
right under the profession of medical practice (Regan et al., 2015).
Conclusion
To conclude the above discussion, it has been analysed that the above four case
studies represented different scenarios related to the health of individuals. These issues were
related to the main aspects of ethics, legalities, and legislations necessary to be complied with
nursing profession.

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References
Berg, A. K., Simonsen, A. B. & Svensson, J. (2018). Perception and Possible Causes of Skin
Problems to Insulin Pump and Glucose Sensor: Results from Paediatric Focus
Groups. Diabetes technology & therapeutics, 20(8), 566-570.
Nowrouzi, B., Giddens, E., Gohar, B., Schoenenberger, S., Bautista, M. C. & Casole, J.
(2016). The quality of work life of registered nurses in Canada and the United States:
a comprehensive literature review. International journal of occupational and
environmental health, 22(4), 341-358.
Oomens, C. W., Bader, D. L., Loerakker, S. & Baaijens, F. (2015). Pressure induced deep
tissue injury explained. Annals of biomedical engineering, 43(2), 297-305.
Regan, S., Orchard, C., Khalili, H., Brunton, L. & Leslie, K. (2015). Legislating
interprofessional collaboration: A policy analysis of health professions regulatory
legislation in Ontario, Canada. Journal of inter-professional care, 29(4), 359-364.
Strauss, A. L. (2018). Professions, work and careers. United Kingdom: Routledge.
Tarnowski, G. J., Bateman, T., Stanger, L. & Phillips, L. A. (2017). Update of licensed
practical nurse competencies in Alberta. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 8(2), 17-22.
Urden, L. D., Stacy, K. M. & Lough, M. E. (2019). Priorities in critical care nursing. United
States: Elsevier Health Sciences.