Author Question: The nurses on a medical-surgical floor disagree with the care being provided to a patient by a ... (Read 52 times)

fox · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

The nurses on a medical-surgical floor disagree with the care being provided to a patient by a particular physician. They contact the ethics committee at the hospital. Which action should they expect the committee to take?

1. Assume primary care of the patient.
2. Censure the physician for inappropriate care.
3. Turn the information over to a judge.
4. Make recommendations to resolve conflict.

Question 2

A patient is on life support and unresponsive to stimuli. One of her daughters talks to the nurse about withdrawing life support. The other daughter asks the nurse when the patient is likely to wake up and be able to eat.

The nurse talks with her charge nurse and manager about this patient situation. This action demonstrates which ethical skills outlined in the PILLAR mnemonic? Select all that apply.
1. The ability to IDENTIFY ethical issues
2. The ability to find needed RESOURCES
3. The ability to ANTICIPATE ethical issues
4. The ability to work within defined professional LIMITATIONS
5. The ability to understand how PERSONAL experiences impact care

fffftttt · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 4
Explanation: Hospital ethics committees are a good resource for nurses. They serve as a neutral forum in which to discuss ethical issues. They do not make decisions for other clinicians or assume care of a particular patient. Rather, they serve to assist with conflict management and provide advocacy for patients.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1, 2, 3
Explanation: Notifying supervisors of a potential ethical conflict demonstrates the ability to identify and anticipate an ethical issue. It also demonstrates that the nurse can find and utilize her resources when confronted with a situation that may develop into an ethical dilemma. This is not an example of working within defined limitations or how personal experiences may impact patient care.