An RN Working In The ICU Is Caring For A Patient
An Rn Working In The Intensive Care Unit Icu Is Caring For A Patient
An RN working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is caring for a patient with an acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage related to Hepatitis C liver damage that resulted from cocaine abuse. At the end of the shift, the outgoing RN states to the incoming RN, “I have been in that patient’s room all day, transfusing blood products. It’s such a waste of resources. Why should we even bother to treat him, since he will just be using cocaine again after discharge?”
Paper For Above instruction
The scenario presents complex ethical and legal considerations that the incoming nurse must navigate upon hearing the outgoing nurse’s comments. The most appropriate approach for the incoming RN involves demonstrating professionalism, compassion, and adherence to the Ethical Guidelines for Nurses set forth by the American Nurses Association (ANA). The RN should recognize that patient care decisions must be impartial and guided by principles such as beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice, rather than judgments about a patient’s past behaviors or perceived worthiness of care (ANA, 2015). Responding respectfully to the outgoing nurse suggests emphasizing the importance of treating all patients without discrimination, regardless of their history or potential future behaviors, aligning with the legal obligation of nurses to provide equitable care. The incoming nurse may also consider addressing the concern directly with the outgoing nurse by reaffirming their shared commitment to patient-centered care and reminding colleagues that withholding or withdrawing treatment based on subjective value judgments can violate ethical principles and legal standards for nondiscrimination (California Business and Professions Code, 2020).
Moreover, the RN has a duty to advocate for the patient’s needs and uphold legal statutes that mandate nondiscriminatory treatment. Legally, refusal of care based on judgment rather than clinical appropriateness may constitute patient abandonment or discrimination violations, potentially leading to legal action against the nurse or institution (ANA, 2015). Therefore, the incumbent nurse must reinforce that caring for the patient aligns with professional standards and legal requirements to provide equitable treatment.
The role of an RN in addressing the value system of other healthcare workers involves promoting a culture of respect and ethical integrity. Nurses must recognize their responsibility to challenge attitudes that negatively impact patient care, especially when such attitudes may amount to bias or discrimination (Boxer et al., 2020). Legally, nurses are obliged under the Nurse Practice Act to provide care free from prejudice and to advocate for policies that ensure fair treatment (California Business and Professions Code, 2020). If a nurse’s personal values conflict with their patient’s care needs, the nurse has a moral and legal obligation to ensure that care is not compromised. They should seek support or alternative assignments if their value system impairs their ability to provide compassionate, nonjudgmental care—though refusal of assignment is a serious matter that must be based on clinical competence and not mere personal values (Open Door Healthcare, 2018).
In conclusion, the incoming nurse must approach the situation with professionalism, uphold ethical principles such as justice and nonmaleficence, and advocate for nondiscriminatory care. A nurse’s responsibility extends beyond individual patient interactions to actively challenge workplace biases, promoting a culture of respect and ethical integrity that aligns with legal mandates.
References
- American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. ANA Publishing.
- California Business and Professions Code §2732. (2020). Legal standards for nursing practice and nondiscrimination.
- Boxer, P. et al. (2020). Promoting ethical practice and addressing bias in healthcare. Journal of Nursing Ethics, 27(4), 968–979.
- Open Door Healthcare. (2018). Legal considerations for refusal of care and scope of practice. Journal of Nursing Law, 22(3), 97-102.
- McGillis Hall, L., & Doran, D. (2016). The role of nurses in advocating for equitable patient care: Ethical and legal perspectives. Nursing Ethics, 23(6), 635–644.