Scenario: The Son Of Your Patient Acting As Medical Power
Scenariothe Son Of Your Patient Who Is Acting As Medical Power Of Att
Scenariothe Son of your patient, who is acting as a medical power of attorney, has asked you, as a provider with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, not to inform his father about his medical status, which reveals a terminal diagnosis, prognosis, and course of treatment. Discuss how you would resolve the situation differently from how the power of attorney is asking you to, by using the codes of ethics for nurses from the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN), as well as other leadership techniques and a biblical worldview. Document this assignment in a 4-page Word document, including a minimum of 4 references.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The scenario involving a patient’s son acting as a medical power of attorney (POA) requests that the healthcare provider with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree withhold critical medical information from the patient. This presents an ethical dilemma rooted in respecting patient autonomy versus honoring the legal authority of the POA. Resolving this situation requires careful consideration of ethical principles, professional codes, leadership strategies, and personal worldview, including biblical values that emphasize truthfulness and compassion.
Ethical Principles and Nursing Codes
The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses underscores the importance of respecting patients’ autonomy, inherent dignity, and right to be fully informed about their health status (ANA, 2015). Principle 1 emphasizes that nurses must advocate for the patient’s right to make informed decisions, especially as it relates to their health and well-being. Similarly, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code advocates for respect for human rights, including the right to truthful information essential for informed consent (ICN, 2012).
In this context, withholding information about a terminal diagnosis contravenes these ethical standards, as it denies the patient autonomy and the right to make informed choices about their healthcare. Laws often uphold the patient’s right to access truthful information, regardless of the POA’s wishes, unless specific legal restrictions are imposed. Nurses, therefore, have an ethical obligation to prioritize the patient’s right to know, guided by these codes of ethics.
Leadership Techniques and Ethical Decision-Making
Effective leadership entails fostering open communication, demonstrating moral courage, and advocating for ethical practices. In this scenario, the nurse must advocate for transparency, ensuring that the patient receives accurate information about their condition, which is crucial for their autonomy and dignity. Employing moral courage involves standing against familial pressure or undue influence and adhering to ethical principles (Fletcher & Langeland, 2019).
Active listening and empathetic communication are essential leadership skills to manage the emotional ramifications of delivering difficult news. Educating and involving the patient in their care aligns with shared decision-making models, encouraging respect, autonomy, and trust (Makary & Daniel, 2016).
Biblical Worldview and Ethical Reflection
From a biblical perspective, honesty, integrity, and compassion are fundamental virtues. Proverbs 12:22 emphasizes that “lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,” highlighting the importance of truthfulness. Ephesians 4:15 encourages believers to speak the truth in love, aligning with the moral obligation to disclose truthful information compassionately.
The biblical worldview reinforces the ethical obligation to act with integrity and prioritize the dignity of the individual. As healthcare providers, embodying Christ-like virtues involves advocating for the truth and acting in the patient’s best interests, rooted in love and justice. This perspective supports informing the patient, respecting their autonomy, and trusting in divine guidance to navigate complex moral dilemmas.
Resolving the Situation
In resolving this dilemma, the nurse must balance respecting the POA’s legal authority with prioritizing the patient’s rights. The first step involves verifying the legal authority of the POA while advocating for the patient’s right to be informed. Engaging in a respectful dialogue with the POA, explaining the ethical and legal imperatives to disclose accurate information, and emphasizing the importance of the patient’s right to autonomy and informed decision-making is crucial.
If the POA insists on withholding information, the nurse should educate them about the ethical and legal responsibilities, emphasizing that patient rights take precedence in most jurisdictions unless otherwise specified by law. Consultation with the healthcare team, ethics committees, or legal counsel may be necessary to resolve conflicts ethically and legally.
Furthermore, employing leadership techniques such as ethical dialogue, advocacy, and conflict resolution fosters an environment where the patient’s dignity and autonomy are respected. Incorporating biblical virtues of truthfulness, compassion, and justice guides the nurse’s moral stance and actions.
Conclusion
Resolving the ethical dilemma presented by the son’s request involves adherence to professional codes of ethics, employing strong leadership practices, and reflecting biblical virtues. The nurse must advocate for full disclosure to honor the patient’s autonomy and uphold professional integrity. By balancing legal considerations with ethical principles and personal moral convictions, nurses can ensure that patient rights remain central to healthcare decision-making, promoting trust and respect.
References
American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
Fletcher, J., & Langeland, E. (2019). Moral courage in nursing practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 35(4), 262-267.
International Council of Nurses. (2012). The ICN code of ethics for nurses. ICN.
Makary, M. A., & Daniel, M. (2016). Medical error—the third leading cause of death in the US. BMJ, 353, i2139.
Proverbs 12:22. Holy Bible.
Ephesians 4:15. Holy Bible.