Choose A Patient Care Situation In Which The RN Should Inter

Choose A Patient Care Situation In Which The Rn Should Intervene And A

Choose a patient-care situation in which the RN should intervene and advocate for the patient. Include a description of the clinical situation, apply the Bioethical Decision Making Model to this situation, and discuss nursing advocacy and the nurse’s role as a patient advocate. The paper should be approximately four pages long.

Paper For Above instruction

In healthcare, nurses are often faced with complex situations where patient advocacy and ethical decision-making are crucial. One common scenario involves obtaining fully informed consent from the patient prior to medical procedures or treatments. Suppose a patient is scheduled for a surgical intervention but demonstrates signs of confusion due to medical conditions or language barriers that limit their understanding of the procedure's risks, benefits, and alternatives. In such a situation, the registered nurse (RN) must intervene to ensure that the patient receives adequate information and that their autonomy is respected, upholding ethical standards and advocating for their rights.

This paper applies the Bioethical Decision Making Model to this clinical scenario, examining each step to understand the ethical considerations and the nurse's role. Furthermore, it discusses the importance of advocacy in nursing practice and the responsibilities nurses have in safeguarding patient rights and ensuring ethical care delivery.

Description of the Clinical Situation

The hypothetical scenario involves a middle-aged patient scheduled for elective surgery for a suspected hernia. During preoperative preparation, the patient exhibits signs of linguistic difficulty and confusion, possibly due to underlying cognitive impairment or language barriers. The patient appears hesitant but cannot articulate questions clearly or fully grasp the explanation provided by the healthcare team. The surgeon erroneously assumes the patient comprehends the procedure after a brief consent discussion, and no additional measures are taken to confirm understanding. Recognizing that the patient's capacity for informed consent is compromised, the RN detects a potential ethical dilemma: the patient's autonomy may be compromised, and they might be subjected to a procedure without truly understanding what it entails. The RN must intervene to advocate for the patient's rights, ensuring that consent is valid and that the patient’s best interests are protected.

Application of the Bioethical Decision Making Model

1. Identify the Ethical Issue

The primary ethical issue involves whether the patient has provided informed consent voluntarily and competently. The patient's confusion and communication barriers raise concerns about their understanding of the procedure, risking violation of their autonomy and informed consent principles.

2. Gather Relevant Information

Information includes the patient's cognitive status, language proficiency, and capacity to understand complex medical information. The healthcare team’s standard consent process may be insufficient if the patient cannot comprehend the explanation. Additionally, hospital policies and legal standards require that consent be informed, voluntary, and obtained by a competent individual.

3. Clarify Values and Ethical Principles

Key principles involved include respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Respecting autonomy mandates that the patient understands and voluntarily agrees. Beneficence and non-maleficence emphasize acting in the patient's best interest and avoiding harm, including psychological distress or legal repercussions stemming from uninformed consent.

4. Identify Alternatives and Decide on Course of Action

Alternatives include involving a certified medical interpreter, using visual aids, postponing consent until comprehension improves, or involving a family member or legal guardian if appropriate. The RN decides to advocate for a thorough assessment of the patient's capacity, request additional support such as an interpreter, and ensure the patient comprehends the procedure fully before proceeding.

5. Implement the Decision

The RN communicates with the healthcare team to arrange for an interpreter, reviews the explanation using simplified language or visual aids, and confirms patient understanding. If the patient still cannot comprehend, the team considers involving a family member or legal guardian to provide consent, aligning with legal and ethical standards. The RN documents all steps meticulously, reflecting adherence to ethical and institutional protocols.

6. Evaluate the Outcome

Post-intervention, the RN assesses if the patient demonstrates improved understanding and willingly consents to the procedure. The patient's autonomy is honored, and ethically, the process aligns with best practices. If the patient consents adequately, the procedure proceeds; if not, further steps are taken to ensure ethical compliance, which may include delaying the procedure until the patient is capable of understanding or seeking legal guidance.

Discussion of Nursing Advocacy and the Nurse’s Role

Advocacy is integral to nursing practice, emphasizing the protection of patients' rights, dignity, and well-being. Nurses serve as vital advocates by ensuring patients receive complete, comprehensible information necessary to make autonomous decisions. In this scenario, the RN’s role is proactive—identifying potential ethical issues, communicating effectively with the healthcare team, and taking steps to facilitate patient understanding and voluntary consent.

Nurses must possess strong communication skills, cultural competence, and ethical awareness to navigate such situations effectively. By advocating for patients who face language barriers or cognitive impairments, nurses uphold ethical principles and promote patient-centered care. This advocacy extends beyond individual patient encounters, influencing institutional policies to improve informed consent processes and foster a culture of ethical vigilance.

Furthermore, nurses advocate by educating patients about their rights and encouraging questions, empowering them in their care. They also work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to develop strategies that accommodate diverse patient needs, ensuring equitable and ethical treatment for all. This advocacy not only benefits individual patients but also advances the broader goal of ethical excellence in healthcare settings.

Conclusion

In summary, the scenario discussed underscores the critical role of nurses as patient advocates within the ethical framework of healthcare. The application of the Bioethical Decision Making Model guided the nurse in systematically addressing the ethical dilemma, ensuring that the patient's autonomy and rights were prioritized. Nursing advocacy involves vigilant assessment, effective communication, and proactive intervention—elements essential to ethical practice and high-quality patient care. As frontline practitioners, nurses have a moral and professional obligation to intervene when patient rights are at risk, fostering trust and integrity in the healthcare system.

References

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• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. ANA Publishing.
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