Advocacy Paper

Advocacy Paper

Write an academic paper discussing a patient care situation where a nurse can intervene and advocate for a patient, focusing on ethical principles such as patient autonomy and informed consent. The paper should include a definition of the dilemma, medical and non-medical facts relevant to the case, external influences affecting nurse advocacy, areas requiring clarification, key decision-makers, ethical principles involved, strategies for advocacy and follow-up, and a discussion on the importance of advocacy in nursing practice. Use credible sources to support your analysis, and provide a comprehensive exploration of how nurses uphold ethical standards while advocating for patients, especially in complex or conflicting situations.

Paper For Above instruction

The role of advocacy in nursing is vital in ensuring that patients' rights, safety, and well-being are prioritized amid complex clinical and ethical challenges. A poignant example involves a patient who was slated to undergo a blood transfusion but expressed refusal based on religious beliefs. This scenario underscores the ethical tension between respecting patient autonomy and the healthcare provider's obligation to preserve life. The nurse's duty in this context was to advocate for the patient's informed decision while ensuring that the patient comprehensively understood the risks and benefits involved.

Fundamental to this case are medical facts such as the importance of patient autonomy, which entails that competent individuals have the right to make informed decisions about their healthcare. The principles of informed consent necessitate that the patient has adequate mental capacity, the disclosure of relevant information, voluntary agreement, and documentation. The nurse's role is to facilitate this process, ensuring that the patient’s choices are informed and free from coercion. In situations where the patient refuses treatment due to religious convictions, such as with Jehovah's Witnesses refusing blood transfusions, health professionals must navigate respecting religious beliefs while delivering ethically sound care.

Non-medical facts that influence this scenario include cultural and religious beliefs that shape patient decisions. These factors often create dilemmas when they conflict with standard medical practices. External influences like organizational policies, staffing levels, workload, and institutional support can either hinder or facilitate an effective advocacy process. For instance, excessive workloads may limit the time nurses need to educate and support patients, thereby compromising the advocacy process. Healthcare organizations must recognize and foster an environment conducive to advocacy by providing adequate staffing and encouraging ethical practice, as supported by Pecanac & Schwarze (2018).

Areas requiring clarification often involve the grey zones in informed consent, especially when a patient's decision could result in significant health risks. Nurses must assess whether the patient is adequately informed and competent to make such decisions. When uncertainty exists, consultation with the healthcare team or ethics committees is warranted to determine the appropriate course of action. Decision-makers in such scenarios encompass the patient, family, healthcare providers, and legislative entities that outline legal frameworks for consent and autonomy. The patient holds the ultimate authority concerning their treatment, but the provider’s role is to ensure informed understanding.

Underlying ethical principles include patient autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and fidelity. Respect for autonomy is paramount in honoring patient choices, even when they conflict with medical advice. Beneficence and nonmaleficence guide nurses to act in patients' best interests and avoid harm. In this case, the nurse advocated for the patient by providing comprehensive education about blood transfusions, highlighting risks and alternatives, and respecting the patient’s religious beliefs. This approach fosters trust and aligns with the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics.

Strategies for effective advocacy include thorough patient education, clear communication, and shared decision-making. Building rapport and trust enables patients to express their values and preferences freely. Follow-up involves documenting the informed consent process and ensuring that all parties understand the patient's wishes. When barriers such as organizational constraints exist, nurses should actively collaborate with administration to promote policies supporting patient-centered care. Advocacy also involves confronting ethical dilemmas directly and seeking guidance from ethics committees if necessary.

In summary, advocacy is an essential component of professional nursing practice that safeguards patient rights and promotes ethical standards. By carefully balancing respect for autonomy with beneficence and nonmaleficence, nurses can navigate complex situations to achieve ethically justified decisions. The ability to advocate effectively enhances patient outcomes and sustains trust in healthcare. As healthcare continues to evolve with technological advancements and cultural diversity, nurses’ advocacy roles will become increasingly significant in upholding ethical integrity and delivering holistic, patient-centered care.

References

• Davoodvand, S., Abbaszadeh, A., & Ahmadi, F. (2016). Patient advocacy from the clinical nurses' viewpoint: a qualitative study. Journal of Medical Ethics and the History of Medicine, 9.
• Kalaitzidis, E., & Jewell, P. (2020). The concept of advocacy in nursing: a critical analysis. The Healthcare Manager, 39(2), 77-84.
• Pecanac, K. E., & Schwarze, M. L. (2018). Conflict in the intensive care unit: Nursing advocacy and surgical agency. Nursing Ethics, 25(1), 69-79.
• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. ANA.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Faden, R., Beauchamp, T., & King, N. M. (1986). A History and Theory of Informed Consent. Oxford University Press.
• Joannides, M. (2014). Ethical issues in blood transfusion. Transfusion Medicine Reviews, 28(4), 195-200.
• O'Neill, O. (2002). Autonomy and Trust in Bioethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Resnik, D. B. (2018). Ethical principles in research involving human subjects. The American Journal of Bioethics, 18(3), 20-27.
• Schneider, C. E. (2010). The Practice of Autonomy: Patients, Medical Dilemmas, and the Ethics of Care. Cambridge University Press.