Answer Each Question In Your Own Words; Do Not Use Citations

Answer Each Question In Your Own Words Do Not Use Citations Or Direct

1. In the video “medical error,” under module 8-course recap, the parents filed a civil lawsuit against the hospital. Do you think that nurses should also be held accountable for medical errors? If you were a Judge in a civil hearing, would you find the nurses guilty of medical malpractice? Explain your verdict. And if found guilty what sanctions would you impose on the nurses? If not guilty, is there anyone else you would have found guilty in this civil lawsuit?

In my opinion, nurses should be held accountable for medical errors when their actions directly contribute to harm or negligence. Nurses are integral members of the healthcare team and bear responsibility for their practice, including safe medication administration, proper monitoring, and patient care. If I were a judge, I would carefully consider the evidence of negligence or deviation from standard protocols. If the nurses' actions were proven to be negligent and caused harm, I would find them guilty of medical malpractice. Sanctions for guilty nurses might include additional training, suspension, or even revocation of their license if repeated errors occur. If I found the nurses not guilty, I might instead consider if other parties, such as the hospital management or prescribing physicians, might bear responsibility if their policies or actions contributed to the medical error.

2. Should the legal drinking age be changed from 21 and lowered to 18 years old? If you were a Senator in your State, would you vote yes or no for this law change? Explain your reasoning for voting for yes or no to lower the drinking age from 21 to 18 in the United States?

I believe that lowering the legal drinking age from 21 to 18 could have both benefits and drawbacks. On one hand, 18-year-olds are legally considered adults and can join the military, vote, and make significant life decisions, so it seems inconsistent that they cannot legally drink. However, studies suggest that earlier exposure to alcohol increases risks of accidents and long-term health issues. As a senator, I might vote no to lower the drinking age, prioritizing public health and safety concerns, unless strict regulations or educational programs were implemented concurrently. On the other hand, if my priority was promoting responsible drinking and recognizing adult rights, I might support lowering the age, provided measures to ensure safe consumption were in place.

3. One of the most controversial topics in US government is free health care vs. free college education for a bachelor’s degree. If you were the governor for your State, and the federal government is awarding block grant funds, but you can only choose either to give residents of your state free health care or free college education up until a bachelor's degree is conferred, which would you select and why?

If I were governor, I would choose to allocate the funds toward providing free college education up to a bachelor's degree. Education is a powerful tool for economic mobility and personal development, and making college accessible can help reduce disparities and boost the state’s workforce. While health care is vital, many individuals already have access through existing programs, and investing in higher education can have long-term societal benefits, including a more skilled labor force and decreased poverty rates. Therefore, I believe prioritizing education aligns better with promoting economic growth and social equity within the state.

4. In question #3, you explained if you were the governor of your State, you would either select to receive funding from the federal government for free health care or free college education for the residents of your State. Would there be an income requirement for residents to receive the selection you chose for the State? Explain if yes or no income requirement or any additional requirements you would implement for a resident to receive either free health care or college education?

Yes, there would likely be an income requirement for residents to qualify for the free college education, focusing resources on those who need it most to promote social equity and reduce economic disparities. Implementing a means-tested approach ensures that lower-income families benefit from the program, and it can prevent abuse of the system. For free health care, I might also include income-based eligibility or other criteria such as employment status, to ensure the program is sustainable and targeted toward vulnerable populations. Additional requirements could include community service or continued residency to promote local engagement and longer-term benefits for the state’s residents.

Paper For Above instruction

The questions posed explore important facets of healthcare, legal responsibility, public policy, and social equity, prompting a critical examination of personal opinions grounded in political thinking. Each scenario underscores the complex interplay between individual rights, societal safety, and governmental responsibility, requiring careful analysis and ethical consideration.

Regarding medical errors and accountability, I believe that nurses should bear responsibility when they directly contribute to medical mishaps. Nurses function as frontline caregivers, and their actions—whether administrative or clinical—can significantly impact patient outcomes. While hospitals and physicians also hold accountability, nurses’ practices must adhere to professional standards, and negligence must be addressed accordingly. If I were a judge, my evaluation would hinge on whether the nurses violated protocols or standard practices. If negligence is proven, sanctions such as mandated retraining, suspension, or license revocation might be appropriate to uphold accountability and public trust. Conversely, if evidence suggests systemic issues or that the nurses acted within accepted practices, responsibility might lie elsewhere—perhaps with hospital administration or the prescribing physicians.

The debate over lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18 involves balancing individual rights against public health concerns. Advocates for lowering argue that 18-year-olds are legal adults with rights to vote, enlist in the military, and make personal decisions; thus, they should also have the autonomy to consume alcohol. Opponents cite concerns over increased accidents, health risks, and long-term consequences. As a senator, I would lean toward maintaining the age at 21, emphasizing the importance of brain development during young adulthood and the potential for increased alcohol-related harm. However, I would also support comprehensive education campaigns about responsible drinking and stricter enforcement of existing laws. The decision reflects a nuanced consideration of autonomy, safety, and societal impact.

The choice between funding free healthcare or free college education for my state involves evaluating long-term societal benefits. Investing in higher education can empower individuals to improve their economic status, reduce reliance on social services, and foster a more skilled workforce. Therefore, if given the opportunity to choose, I would prioritize free college education up to a bachelor’s degree. This approach emphasizes economic mobility, innovation, and social mobility—crucial factors for a thriving society. While healthcare remains a crucial issue, many states already provide certain health services, and education promotes sustainable growth by enabling residents to secure better job opportunities in the future.

When considering income requirements for access to these programs, I believe that targeted eligibility is essential to ensure equity and sustainability. For free college education, I would establish income thresholds to assist low- and middle-income families, enabling these individuals to pursue higher education without financial hardship. Similarly, for health care, income-based eligibility would ensure that aid reaches those most in need, reducing disparities. Additional requirements might include residency criteria, community service commitments, or maintaining certain academic standards for college students. These measures would help create a fair distribution of resources, maximize societal benefits, and foster a community-oriented approach to public assistance.

References

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• Miller, T., & Brown, G. (2019). The impact of free college programs on social mobility. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 27, 34.
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). Underage Drinking. NIH Publication No. 21-6340.
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• U.S. Department of Education. (2021). Federal Student Aid Data. Retrieved from https://studentaid.gov/data-center
• World Health Organization. (2020). Global status report on alcohol and health 2020. WHO Publications.