Ethical and Legal Implications

Posted: June 2nd, 2023

WEEK 1 SCENARIO:

TF is an 18-month-old boy who was admitted to your hospital for failure to thrive and losing 6 lbs. You have found that he has extreme blockage throughout his GI system with severe impaction throughout. He is in a great deal of pain and is screaming. His parents are adamant that they do not want treatments due to religious beliefs. They have stated that they boy’s grandfather, an elder in their church, is on his way to pray over the boy and heal him.

Write a 2 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.
Write My Essay | Papers Writing Service Online by Essay Hub Experts- 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.

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Ethical and Legal Implications

The ethical and legal implications of this scenario are complex and involve all stakeholders involved, including the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and patient’s family.

Prescriber: The prescriber is ethically obligated to provide the best possible care for the patient, even if that care conflicts with the patient’s or family’s religious beliefs. The prescriber must also be aware of the legal implications of refusing to treat a patient, as this could be considered medical neglect.
Pharmacist: The pharmacist is ethically obligated to dispense medications in accordance with the prescriber’s orders. However, the pharmacist may also have a duty to warn the patient or family about potential risks associated with the medication, even if this information conflicts with the patient’s or family’s religious beliefs.
Patient: The patient has the right to refuse treatment, even if this refusal could result in harm to the patient’s health. However, the patient must be fully informed of the risks and benefits of refusing treatment before making a decision.
Patient’s Family: The patient’s family has the right to participate in decision-making about the patient’s care. However, the family’s wishes must be balanced with the patient’s right to self-determination.
In this particular scenario, the prescriber and pharmacist are faced with a difficult ethical dilemma. On the one hand, they have a duty to provide the best possible care for the patient, which may mean overriding the patient’s or family’s religious beliefs. On the other hand, they must also be aware of the legal implications of refusing to treat a patient, as this could be considered medical neglect.

The prescriber and pharmacist could consult with an ethics committee or legal counsel to get guidance on how to proceed. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to treat the patient is a complex one that must be made on a case-by-case basis.

Strategies for Disclosure and Nondisclosure

In the event that the prescriber or pharmacist decides to disclose the patient’s medical condition to the patient’s family, they should do so in a sensitive and compassionate manner. They should also be prepared to answer any questions that the family may have.

If the prescriber or pharmacist decides not to disclose the patient’s medical condition to the patient’s family, they should document their decision in the patient’s medical record. They should also be prepared to defend their decision if it is ever challenged.

The laws specific to each state vary regarding disclosure and nondisclosure of medical information. In general, however, healthcare providers have a duty to protect the confidentiality of their patients’ medical information. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as when the patient is a danger to themselves or others.

Strategies for Decision-Making

As an advanced practice nurse, I would use the following two strategies to guide my decision-making in this scenario:

Consider the patient’s best interests: I would first and foremost consider what is in the best interests of the patient. This would involve weighing the risks and benefits of treatment, as well as the patient’s wishes and the family’s wishes.
Follow the law: I would also follow the law in making my decision. This would involve understanding the specific laws in my state regarding disclosure and nondisclosure of medical information, as well as the laws regarding medical neglect.
I would also disclose my error if I made one. I would do this in a timely manner and in a way that is sensitive to the patient and the family. I would also be prepared to take steps to correct the error and to prevent it from happening again.

Process of Writing Prescriptions

The process of writing prescriptions varies depending on the specific setting. However, there are some general steps that are typically followed:

The prescriber evaluates the patient and makes a diagnosis.
The prescriber determines the appropriate medication and dosage.
The prescriber writes the prescription and signs it.
The pharmacist dispenses the medication.
There are a number of strategies that can be used to minimize medication errors. These include:

Using double-checks: Having two people check the prescription before it is dispensed can help to catch errors.
Using electronic prescribing systems: Electronic prescribing systems can help to prevent errors by automatically checking for drug interactions and allergies.
Providing education to healthcare providers: Educating healthcare providers about the risks of medication errors and how to prevent them can help to reduce the number of errors.