Discuss And Analyze The Situation According To Ethical P

Discuss And Analyze The Situation According To The Ethical Principles

Discuss and analyze the situation according to the ethical principles that you have learned in this chapters Chapter 4: Ethics in Public and Community Health Nursing Practice Chapter 5: Cultural Influences in Nursing in Community Health Chapter 28: Nursing Practice at the Local, State, and National Levels in Public Health, How would the use of a different priority of ethical principles affect possible outcomes?

1. A high school student with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) wishes to attend class.

2. A student has confided to a school worker that her father is sexually abusing her. She does not want her mother, who is a teacher at the school, to know and does not want the nurse or the counselor or principal to discuss this with anyone.

Paper For Above instruction

The presented scenarios highlight the complex interplay of ethical principles in public and community health nursing. Analyzing these cases requires a nuanced understanding of core principles such as autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and confidentiality, especially within the context of diverse cultural and societal influences. Additionally, the prioritization of these principles can influence outcomes significantly, underscoring the importance of ethical reasoning in nursing practice.

The first scenario involves a high school student with AIDS who wishes to attend class. Respecting the student's autonomy is paramount; she has the right to make decisions regarding her education and healthcare. According to the Ethical Principles in Public Health Nursing, confidentiality must be maintained due to the sensitive nature of her condition. Nurses and school health personnel are obligated to protect her privacy while ensuring she receives appropriate support. Beneficence and nonmaleficence guide health professionals to act in her best interest, providing education about her condition and preventing discrimination or stigma. However, societal issues such as stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS may influence decisions, necessitating culturally sensitive approaches that respect her rights while safeguarding her well-being.

Contrastively, the second scenario involves a student disclosing sexual abuse by her father but requesting confidentiality. Here, the ethical principles of confidentiality and autonomy are initially emphasized. The student's desire to keep the information private respects her autonomy and builds trust. Nevertheless, principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence—aiming to prevent harm—compel the healthcare professional to act against abuse. Most jurisdictions mandate reporting suspected child abuse, regardless of the child's wishes, based on the ethical obligation to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent ongoing harm. Prioritizing justice and the child's best interests typically overrides confidentiality in such cases. However, cultural influences may complicate this process, as family honor or societal stigma could influence decision-making and disclosure practices.

The prioritization of ethical principles significantly impacts potential outcomes. For instance, emphasizing confidentiality over beneficence in the abuse case could result in continued harm and legal repercussions, while prioritizing beneficence promotes child safety but may breach cultural sensitivities. Conversely, in the AIDS case, prioritizing autonomy and confidentiality supports the student's rights but requires careful management within societal contexts to prevent discrimination. Ethical reasoning necessitates balancing principles to achieve just and culturally sensitive outcomes.

In conclusion, these scenarios exemplify the importance of ethical principles in guiding nursing actions in public and community health settings. The influence of cultural, societal, and legal factors requires nurses to critically evaluate each situation, prioritize principles appropriately, and advocate for vulnerable populations. An ethical framework that carefully considers all relevant principles ensures decisions that promote health, safety, and justice for individuals and communities alike.

References

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• World Health Organization. (2011). Ethical considerations in public health. WHO.
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