Abstract Of The Range Of Practice For Advanced Practice Nurs

Abstractas The Range Of Practice For Advanced Practice Nurses Continue

Abstract As the range of practice for advanced practice nurses continues to expand, new and complicated ethical issues in clinical environments will frequently arise. Advanced practitioners will consider a patient therapy plan that includes prescribing suitable medicine (Arcangelo and Peterson, 2013). The following article examines ethical and legal consequences as well as evaluate how to correctly react to the Situation: As a nurse attendant, one recommends medications for their patients. They make a mistake when recommending the medicine to a 5-year old sick person. Instead of dosing the patient correctly, they recommend a dosage that applies to a grown-up patient.

Paper For Above instruction

In the evolving landscape of advanced nursing practice, the scope of responsibilities has broadened significantly, encompassing complex clinical decision-making that often involves prescribing medications. With this expansion, ethical and legal considerations have become increasingly critical, especially concerning medication safety. One of the most significant challenges faced by advanced practice nurses (APNs) is ensuring the accuracy of medication recommendations, particularly in pediatric patients where dosing errors can lead to severe adverse outcomes.

Ethical and Legal Foundations of Medication Prescribing

The ethical principles guiding nurses and other healthcare professionals fundamentally revolve around beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. Beneficence and non-maleficence emphasize the imperative to promote patient well-being and prevent harm, respectively. In the context of medication prescribing, these principles oblige clinicians to verify doses and medication appropriateness to avoid iatrogenic harm. Legally, prescribing medications involves adherence to statutes, regulations, and institutional policies which delineate scope of practice, documentation standards, and accountability.

Case Analysis: Medication Dose Mistake in Pediatric Patient

Consider a scenario where a nurse practitioner recommends medication for a 5-year-old child but prescribes a dose appropriate for an adult. Such a mistake can result from oversight, miscalculation, or inadequate assessment of patient-specific factors such as weight, age, or allergies. The consequences of such an error could range from mild adverse reactions to severe toxicity or even death. Ethically, the nurse has a duty to disclose the error promptly to the patient’s family and take necessary steps to mitigate harm. Legally, the failure to provide safe and appropriate care may lead to malpractice claims, disciplinary actions, and damage to professional credibility.

Responsibilities of Healthcare Providers in Preventing Medication Errors

Preventing medication errors requires diligent adherence to evidence-based safety strategies, including the “five rights”: right patient, right drug, right dose, right time, and right route. Advanced practice nurses must also stay updated on pharmacological knowledge and specific considerations for vulnerable populations like children. Pharmacists act as secondary safeguards by reviewing prescriptions for appropriateness, interactions, and correct dosing. Patients and families possess the right to full disclosure of treatment plans and medication errors, fostering trust and informed decision-making.

Strategies for Ethical and Safe Prescribing

Effective medication safety strategies involve comprehensive patient assessment and data collection prior to prescribing. Accurate documentation of patient details such as age, weight, allergies, renal and hepatic function, and laboratory results informs appropriate dosing. For pediatric patients, doses are typically calculated based on weight in kilograms, requiring precise measurement and verification (Anderson & Townsend, 2010). Furthermore, health professionals should account for unique physiological differences within pediatric populations and adjust prescriptions accordingly.

Implementing Ethical Decision-Making Models

When faced with dilemmas like dosing errors, nurses should employ ethical decision-making frameworks such as the decision model outlined by Ghazal, Saleem, and Amlani (2014). These models guide practitioners to thoroughly evaluate all options, consider the implications of disclosure, and act in accordance with moral and professional obligations. Transparency with patients and families, coupled with prompt corrective actions, upholds the ethical standards of honesty and accountability. Reflecting on the incident allows for organizational learning and process improvements to minimize future errors.

Conclusion

The expansion of advanced practice nurses’ roles necessitates heightened awareness of ethical and legal responsibilities, particularly concerning medication safety. Dose errors, especially in pediatric patients, highlight the importance of rigorous adherence to safety protocols, ongoing education, and ethical principles such as transparency and non-maleficence. By maintaining meticulous practice standards and fostering a culture of safety, APNs can significantly reduce medication errors and enhance patient outcomes. Ethical clarity and legal compliance serve as guiding pillars in navigating complex clinical situations, ultimately safeguarding patient health and professional integrity.

References

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• Ghazal, L., Saleem, Z., & Amlani, G. (2014). A Medical Error: To Disclose or Not to Disclose. Journal of Clinical Research and Bioethics, 5, 174. doi:10.4172/.
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