Ethical And Legal Implications Of Prescribing Drugs ✓ Solved

Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs What type

Assignment: Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs What type of drug should you prescribe based on your patient’s diagnosis? How much of the drug should the patient receive? How often should the drug be administered? When should the drug not be prescribed? Are there individual patient factors that could create complications when taking the drug?

Should you be prescribing drugs to this patient? How might different state regulations affect the prescribing of this drug to this patient? These are some of the questions you might consider when selecting a treatment plan for a patient. With this trust comes power and responsibility, as well as an ethical and legal obligation to “do no harm.” It is important that you are aware of current professional, legal, and ethical standards for advanced practice nurses with prescriptive authority. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the treatment plans and administration/prescribing of drugs is in accordance with the regulations of the state in which you practice. Understanding how these regulations may affect the prescribing of certain drugs in different states may have a significant impact on your patient’s treatment plan. In this Assignment, you explore ethical and legal implications of scenarios and consider how to appropriately respond.

To Prepare Review the Resources for this module and consider the legal and ethical implications of prescribing prescription drugs, disclosure, and nondisclosure. Review the scenario assigned by your Instructor for this Assignment. Search specific laws and standards for prescribing prescription drugs and for addressing medication errors for your state or region, and reflect on these as you review the scenario assigned by your Instructor. Consider the ethical and legal implications of the scenario for all stakeholders involved, such as the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and patient’s family. Think about two strategies that you, as an advanced practice nurse, would use to guide your ethically and legally responsible decision-making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose any medication errors.

By Day 7 of Week 1 Write a 2- to 3-page paper that addresses the following: Explain the ethical and legal implications of the scenario you selected on all stakeholders involved, such as the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and patient’s family. Describe strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario you selected. Be sure to reference laws specific to your state. Explain two strategies that you, as an advanced practice nurse, would use to guide your decision making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose your error. Be sure to justify your explanation.

Explain the process of writing prescriptions, including strategies to minimize medication errors. Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references.

Paper For Above Instructions

In the realm of advanced practice nursing, the ethical and legal implications associated with prescribing medications are paramount. As healthcare providers, advanced practice nurses (APNs) face significant responsibilities when they prescribe drugs based on patient diagnoses. This paper addresses the implications of prescribing drugs, the various stakeholders involved, and strategies for maintaining ethical practices in the face of potential medication errors.

Stakeholders Involved in Prescribing

The primary stakeholders in the prescribing process include the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and the patient’s family. Each of these parties is affected by the prescription, and their perspectives must be considered to ensure safe and effective medication management.

Firstly, the prescriber, typically an APN, has a legal obligation to prescribe medications that are safe and appropriate for the patient’s condition. Violations of prescriptive laws could result in legal repercussions, including malpractice suits (Rosenthal & Burchum, 2021). Furthermore, ethical practice necessitates that APNs “do no harm” by selecting the correct medication, dosage, and frequency of administration for individual patients, considering their specific circumstances and potential complications associated with their health status.

Pharmacists also play a crucial role as they are responsible for verifying the appropriateness of the prescribed medication, including its potential interactions with other drugs the patient may be taking. The collaboration between prescribers and pharmacists can mitigate errors and enhance patient safety (Sabatino et al., 2017). Therefore, clear communication and adherence to the legal framework governing prescriptions are essential.

The patient and their family are directly impacted by the prescribing process, as they trust the healthcare provider to manage their medications safely. Failure to appropriately address patient needs or explain the risks and benefits of a medication puts all stakeholders at risk. Informed consent and patient education are thus crucial components of ethical prescribing practices (Fowler & American Nurses Association, 2015).

Legal Implications of Prescribing

The legal framework governing the prescribing of medications varies by state, and APNs must be familiar with specific regulations relevant to their practice location. Each state holds different laws regarding prescriptive authority, including the types of medications that can be prescribed and the necessary documentation (Drug Enforcement Administration, n.d.-b). Understanding these laws is essential to ensure compliance and protect both the patient and the prescriber from legal liability.

For instance, certain controlled substances may have stricter prescribing regulations due to their potential for abuse, thus requiring special attention during the prescribing process. States may also impose limits on the number of refills allowed for certain medications, which must be adhered to meticulously (Drug Enforcement Administration, 2006). Legal oversight ensures that prescriptive practices align with public safety, thereby safeguarding stakeholders involved in the healthcare process.

Ethical Implications of Prescribing

Ethically, APNs are required to consider the well-being of their patients by assessing the risks versus the benefits associated with a given medication. Ethical considerations, such as the principle of beneficence, necessitate that the APN actively work to promote health and prevent harm (Fowler & American Nurses Association, 2015). The implications of prescribing an inappropriate drug due to negligence can lead to patient harm, which undermines the trust placed in healthcare professionals.

Furthermore, issues of disclosure and nondisclosure arise in situations where medication errors occur. APNs must consider ethically whether to disclose an error to the patient and their family. Transparency builds trust and allows for open dialogues about treatment plans; however, it may also create distress for the patient and their family (Ladd & Hoyt, 2016). The principle of autonomy necessitates that patients are informed about their treatment and any potential errors, allowing them to make autonomous decisions regarding their care. Thus, establishing clear strategies for addressing disclosure is crucial for ethical practices in prescribing.

Strategies for Ethical and Legal Decision-Making

To guide ethically and legally responsible decision-making, APNs should implement two strategies. The first strategy involves adhering to evidence-based practices that align with current legal standards and ethical guidelines. This includes staying informed about updated regulations and practicing within the scope of prescriptive authority specific to their state (Sabatino et al., 2017). Continuous education can help APNs navigate complex legal and ethical dilemmas that arise in prescribing.

The second strategy emphasizes the importance of interprofessional collaboration. By engaging with pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, APNs can develop comprehensive treatment plans that consider all aspects of patient care, enhancing patient safety and aligning with ethical prescribing standards. This collaborative approach fosters a culture of accountability and shared responsibility, reducing the risk of medication errors.

Process of Writing Prescriptions

The process of writing prescriptions involves several key steps: ensuring accurate patient identification, selecting the appropriate medication, determining the correct dosage, and providing clear instructions for administration (Rosenthal & Burchum, 2021). In order to minimize medication errors, it is pivotal to utilize legible handwriting or electronic prescribing systems that enhance readability.

Moreover, implementing strategies such as double-checking for potential drug-drug interactions and ensuring patient education about the medication can significantly reduce risks associated with prescriptions. Additionally, regular review of medication orders and documentation by the prescriber can help catch errors before they reach patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ethical and legal implications of prescribing drugs are significant for advanced practice nurses. Understanding the roles of stakeholders, adhering to legal regulations, and employing ethical considerations are critical for providing safe and effective patient care. By implementing strategies to address disclosure and maintaining an emphasis on interprofessional collaboration, APNs can enhance their decision-making processes while ensuring patient safety and trust.

References

• Fowler, M. D. M., & American Nurses Association. (2015). Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements: Development, Interpretation, and Application (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, Maryland: American Nurses Association.
• Ladd, E., & Hoyt, A. (2016). Shedding light on nurse practitioner prescribing. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 12(3), 166–173. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2015.09.17
• Rosenthal, L. D., & Burchum, J. R. (2021). Lehne’s pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants (2nd ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
• Sabatino, J. A., Pruchnicki, M. C., Sevin, A. M., Barker, E., Green, C. G., & Porter, K. (2017). Improving prescribing practices: A pharmacist-led educational intervention for nurse practitioner students. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 29(5), 248–254. doi:10.1002/.12446
• Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.-a). Code of federal regulations. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
• Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.-b). Mid-level practitioners authorization by state. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
• Drug Enforcement Administration. (2006). Practitioner’s manual. Retrieved from.
• American Geriatrics Society 2019 Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel. (2019). American Geriatrics Society 2019 updated AGS Beers criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67(4), 674–694. doi:10.1111/jgs.15767
• Institute for Safe Medication Practices. (2017). List of error-prone abbreviations, symbols, and dose designations. Retrieved from.
• Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Prescribing medications safely: resources and information. Retrieved from.