Laws are created with the intent to define what is right or wrong and built off moral beliefs, similar to ethics (Burkhardt & Nathanial, 2008). The law acts to regulate and authorize what is right and wrong in nursing practice. Age of Majority Act In the state of Michigan the Age of Majority Act states a person who is eighteen “is an adult of legal age for all purposes whatsoever” (Age of Majority Act of 1971). This means there is a natural paternal authority that is in effect until a child reaches age eighteen. Parental authority is based on the legal presumption that parents will make decisions that are in the best interest of their children (Lemmens, 2009). The act allows parents to give informed consent for medical procedures for their …show more content…
If Mike is adamant to stop treatment, the mature minor doctrine could be considered. He would need to demonstrate to his physician or judge that he has a mature decision-making capacity. If deemed competent, his parents would no longer the legal rights to give informed medical consent for Mike. As a result, Mike would be able to discontinue treatment and pursue whatever treatment option he feels is best for him. Comparison Analysis Before a decision can be made in Mike’s case, the nurse needs to compare and contrast the outcomes of each decision. The Mature Minor Doctrine, the principal of beneficence and the value of altruism all support Mike’s decision of discontinuing treatment. While the Age of Majority Act, the principle of veracity strictly supports the parent’s decision. However, values such as respect and altruism support both sides of the situation. The risk, benefits and consequences of each decision must be compared before an ethical decision can be made. Supporting …show more content…
Though Mike is not legally considered an adult, he still should be respected and treated as one. If he truly believes that refusing treatment will cause him less harm and to be at peace, his decision should be valued based off the principle of beneficence. The nurse taking care of Mike needs to realize that this means Mike will most likely die, however, he could pursue other options if he so desired. Discontinuing treatment would also let Mike decided to pass away on his own terms, which could give him a sense of control over his psychosocial health. The regain of control could allow Mike to have a better quality of life. If need be, the nurse should assist Mike attain information about the Mature Minor Doctrine and other relevant information about pediatric patient’s rights. Conclusion When an ethical dilemma arises, a nurse has to consider the outcomes of each choice. In a pediatric situation, it is pertinent to remember that the parents are considered as patients too. To help make a choice, they should first look at their personal and professional values that define their nursing practice. After, they need to look at ethical principles and legal documents to help guide their decision. In the end, they must compare and contrast these factors together to come up with the ethical decision that they ultimately feel is best for their
Individuals have the right to a choice, to determine what will and will not be done to their body, including accepting or refusing medical treatment (Taylor, 2010, p. 148). However, one cannot make these types of decisions until they are 18-years-old. This provision explains that patients should be involved in their own plan of care if they are competent and choose to participate. In this case, C.C. refuses to participate and since she is a minor, her mother is the one who can make the decision by law. C.C’s mother agrees with her daughter in the refusal of medical treatment.
The ANA Scope and Standards of Nursing Practice include a list of standards. These standards are statements, which summarize what is expected from nurses in professional nursing practice. The standards form the foundation for decision-making and provide nurses with direction including which actions to take (Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2015). The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements aids as the ethical structure in professional nursing and offers direction for the future. The ANA Code of Ethics includes nine provisions, which summarize the main ethical ideas, values, and morals for the nursing profession and provides a guide for nurses to use in ethical analysis and decision-making, including which actions to take (Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements,
The Cassandra C vs. Connecticut case involved 17 year old Cassandra C who refused to receive cancer treatment. Her parent also agreed with her decision. However, the court ruled that she was not mature enough to make that decision under the mature minor doctrine, especially since she had ran away from home to avoid chemotherapy treatment. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and wanted to consider other treatment options. The courts denied her request and she was forced to undergo chemotherapy.
It examines and evaluates the decision making process integrating ethical principals. Advance practice nurses must be aware there are ethical consequences for decisions that are made. This core competency addresses the need for ethically sound solutions to be applied to complex issues. During this course ethical principles of decision making was addressed in the case studies. For example, a patient became pregnant and contracted a sexually transmitted infection from her estranged spouse.
It also suggests that, “within the hospital team nurses have the right to autonomy of judgement and decision and in conflicted situations, such as the one described here” (109). This means if the parents cannot come up with a definite answer, the nurses have the right to decide what is best for the child. Also, this article explains the conflicts when parents and medical staff disagree. Many problems can be caused by this issue such as, “what extent is it possible to scrutinize the way devoted parents should act” (108). Then, in another scholarly article, “The Role of The Pediatric Nurse in Promoting Pediatric Right to Consent,” gives specific characteristics that nurses should look for in children to determine how capable they are.
In most, if not all, countries, all adult and mentally-competent patients have the right to make autonomous decisions concerning their medical and health conditions. This right is reserved so long as the patient has the ability or capacity to voluntarily make and comprehend the decision in the presence of full disclosure with regards to the therapy in question. Failure of a healthcare
Every nursing, in order to consider the profession must have an understanding of at least three of the five professional values, in my opinion. These values consist of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity and social justice (Taylor 96). Beginning with the professional value of Altruism, the believe in or practice and self concern for the well-being of others (96). I believe that in order to be the best nurse you can be for your patients, you must understand the concept of altruism. As a nurse, your profession is to take care of people, if you do not know the professional value of altruism than you cannot possibly understand how important it is to care about the wellbeing of your patient.
Often doctors will try to act in beneficence but it is critical that they respect a patient’s autonomy. They have a duty to no do harm which can make it difficult if doctors and patients cannot come to an agreement on treatments. If a physician acts without consent then it can result in battery or negligence.
In this case study the primary nurse, Amelia Wilkerson, is caring for a patient, Katy Palmer who has recently been admitted to the hospital for fatigue and abnormal lab counts. The patient asks Amelia for information regarding her diagnosis. Amelia has seen Katy’s results and knows that she has been diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. The ethical dilemma seen in this situation is that it is outside of the scope of practice for Amelia to discuss Katy’s original diagnosis with her.
According to Lord Fraser’s guidelines the parents have the right to give consent, however their rights must be in the best interest of the child (Diamond 2009). If the parent refuses to give consent for treatment, it will need to be referred to the court for a decision (Griffith 2014). Adult Nurses work with patients over 18, they can work in community and hospital settings such as patient’s homes, health centres or nursing homes (RCN 2018). In relation to a consent, no adult can give consent on behalf of another adult, if that adult has mental capacity to make their own choice (Carvalho
The four core ethical principles that are called into question in the movie “Miss Evers’ Boys” are autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Autonomy refers to the right of the patient to function independently and the ability to self-direct. This means that patients are entitled to decide what will happen to them, and if deemed competent, they have the right to either consent to or refuse treatment. All nurses and healthcare personal would be required to respect the patient’s wishes, even if they do not agree with them. Beneficence is the core principle that refers to the act of ‘doing good’ and advocating for the patient.
Subsequently looking at the overall arch of such principles is the justice which should support fair, equitable and appropriate treatment and or intervention for the individual. A highly stressful time for family regarding decisions that need to be made, while others define the decision as a clinical one, where the doctor will
As the parents of the child, the parents would seek to act for what is best for the child. When a child does not want a vaccination or to go to the dentist, the child refuses. However, the parents still force the child to receive the vaccination and go to the dentist because there are beneficial effects that come from the small amount of pain they will experience. A parent’s consent for a bone marrow donation of a potential child stems from similar reasoning. Even though the child will experience pain, Anissa’s life will potentially be saved by the donation and a greater good will be achieved.
The practice of health care includes many scenarios that have to do with making adequate decisions when it comes to a patient’s life, and the way they are treated. Having an ethical code in all health care organizations is very important, because it helps health care workers with reaching a suited and ethical decision when it comes to the patient. In health care, patient will always be put first, and their autonomy will always be respected. Nevertheless, when there is a situation where a patient might be in harm, or might be making their condition worse because of the decisions they made. Health care workers will always be there to
Patients have a right to complain about the doctor's refusal to the Management. Provision of Treatment requires patient’s choice and informed consent. Even if a patient has signed a general consent clause, the patient can still refuse medical treatment or procedures. However, in exceptional or emergency situations a doctor may be legally justified in performing surgery or providing treatment without the patient's consent. The patient should be competent and capable of making such a decision to give a consent.