Scenario
An RN working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is caring for a patient with an acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage related to Hepatitis C liver damage that resulted from cocaine abuse. At the end of the shift, the outgoing RN states to the incoming RN, “I have been in that patient’s room all day, transfusing blood products. It’s such a waste of resources. Why should we even bother to treat him, since he will just be using cocaine again after discharge?”
Address the following:
• What is the most appropriate way for the incoming RN to approach this situation after hearing the outgoing nurse’s comments? Include both ethical and legal considerations.
• What is the role of an RN in addressing the value system of other health care team members that may have a negative impact on patient care? Include both ethical and legal considerations.
• Should an RN be able to refuse an assignment if a patient’s value system is in direct conflict with his/her own? Why or why not? Include both ethical and legal considerations.
Base your initial post on your readings and research of this topic. Your initial post must contain a minimum of 250 words. References, citations, and repeating the question do not count towards the 250-word minimum.
SOURCES TO USE:
Textbooks (Chapter numbers and titles may differ in subsequent editions of a given textbook. If your edition is different, use the Table of Contents in the textbook to locate the appropriate chapters to read):
• Burchum, J. R., & Rosenthal, L.D. (2016). Lehne’s pharmacology for nursing care (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
o Chapter 80: Other Gastrointestinal Drugs (sections on “Antiemetic Drugs,” “Drugs Used to Dissolve Gallstones” and “Pancreatic Enzymes”)
• Hinkle, J., & Cheever, K. (2014). Brunner and Suddarth’s textbook of medical-surgical nursing (13th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health.
o Chapter 49: Assessment and Management of Patients with Hepatic Disorders
o Chapter 50: Assessment and Management of Patients with Biliary Disorders
• Ladwig, G., Ackley, B., & Makic, M. (2017). Mosby’s guide to nursing diagnosis (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
o Review the nursing diagnoses specific to the content covered in this module.