Author Question: Which policy or procedure represents strategies that can help nurses make better ethical decisions? ... (Read 92 times)

rosent76 · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

Which policy or procedure represents strategies that can help nurses make better ethical decisions? Select all that apply.

1. The nurse manager requires education on ethics at least once annually.
2. After each end-of-life situation, the nurses have a meeting to discuss the ethical
implications.
3. The charge nurse assigns a different nurse to a premature baby every day.
4. Hospital administration starts an ethics committee to make decisions for the
nurses.
5. The nurses ask the nurse manager to allow them to discuss difficult situations.

Question 2

While the nurse is caring for a child with multiple congenital abnormalities in the unit, the parents ask that the child remain on life support. Knowing the child has no brain function, what is the nurse's best action?

1. The nurse should talk to the parents about organ donation.
2. All aspects of the situation should be considered before any action is made.
3. Continue to care for the child regardless of the situation.
4. Discuss the situation with the caretaking team.

lcapri7 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 1; 2; 5

Rationale:
The nurse manager requires education on ethics at least once annually: Education is imperative to allow nurses to practice a systematic method to evaluate situations.
After each end-of-life situation, the nurses have a meeting to discuss the ethical implications: These discussions allow nurses to discuss legal rights and implications of ethical decisions made or considered.
The charge nurse assigns a different nurse to a premature baby every day: This is inappropriate, as the infant requires continuity of care, regardless of the charge nurse's attempt to involve the nurses in the situation.
Hospital administration starts an ethics committee to make decisions for the nurses: This will not teach the nurses how to make better ethical decisions. The only way to get better at making decisions is to practice.
The nurses ask the nurse manager to allow them to discuss difficult situations: Discussing difficult decisions helps alleviate stress. Alleviating stress helps nurses react to situations better and make better decisions.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 3

Rationale: The nurse must continue to provide nursing care for the child regardless of the situation. The ethical implications of the parents' request will need to be discussed among the team, the ethics committee, and those involved in the child's care. The nurse would be presumptive to discuss organ donation, since it is still the parents' wish for the child to be on life support. While it is true that all aspects of the situation should be considered, the nurse must provide quality care to the child. The nurse most likely will be involved in the discussion, but the priority is to care for the child.