A barrier that might be arise in advanced practice geriatrics is the idea of treatment versus no treatment for the demented patient
Answer to this post: A barrier that might be arise in advanced practice geriatrics is the idea of treatment versus no treatment for the demented patient. Demented patients cannot make informed decisions regarding their own care, so often it is left to the patients’ families to decide their treatment options. Or, if no family is available, legal guardianship might be applied for health care decisions. The ethical question lies in whether aggressive treatment for disease is always a good option for these folks. In my practice, I have seen elderly demented patients whose family opted out of aggressive treatment as they did not want to be burdened with the after care of the family member. I have also seen families go to exhaustive lengths to pursue aggressive treatment for their demented loved one despite terminal illness, great discomfort, and loss of quality of life. The Nuremberg Code states that, “the voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential.” (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2005). When a patient cannot make choices about their own health care independently, it is up to their families and loved ones to make the choices for them.[unique_solution] In my practice, we strongly encourage patients to engage in advance directives and talk to their families about the choices that they would like made on their behalf. No one likes to think that they will become incapacitated, but the conversation is necessary. All too often, patients are subject to the choices of others. Some are even financially motivated for the worse. The Nursing Code of Ethics discusses self- determination as well as dignity and safety for the patient. Occasionally, in the case of the demented patient, the family does not always follow the attributes. The ethical barrier for the nurse is whether to try to employ a interdisciplinary team to attempt to steer the patients family in the ethical direction, alert the authorities of any possible ethical breach, or do nothing at all. Of course, our recent discussions would point out, it is always best to utilize an interdisciplinary team to consult and collaborate on any ethical issue. The cost of such discussions may be higher than the alternatives of doing nothing, or vice versa, but in the end, the welfare of the patient is of the upmost concern. Answer to this post: I have found so much reward of stepping away from the family to serve the vulnerable populations of Haiti and Guatemala. It wasn′t an easy decision. My husband said no for many months. I was so determined to do this. I knew that my family would survive without me for nine days. The personal reward along with the many patients I saw was worth every second away. It also provides a good example to your family and friends. This is why I chose nursing. I continually look to step outside my comfort zone. This choice was more of a moral dilemma. An ethical or moral dilemma occurs when obligations require or appear to require that a person adopt two (or more) alternative actions, but the person cannot carry out all the required alternatives. The agent experiences tension because the moral obligations resulting from the dilemma create differing and opposing demands ( Hamric 2014). *references no more than 5 years old
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Review the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics and the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2011a, 2011b) and identify one barrier to ethical practice. Please expand on the following points: Provision 2: The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population. · Choose a potential barrier to ethical practice that you may face in your chosen advanced practice nursing role. In January of 2012, the NLN identified numerous ethical issues seen in nursing education programs including, but not limited to, academic dishonesty, violence between peers and supervisors, breaches in confidentiality and defamatory statements, often associated with the use of social media (NLN, 2012, para 1). In today’s day and age, social media is an outlet for people to keep in touch with family, friends, share their lives and give voice to various opinions related any number of issues. While this can be seen as in a positive light, lately, the posting of opinions and/or statements, have caused legal and ethical dilemmas. This is particularly true among those in public service and healthcare. Many individuals have lost their jobs by posting defamatory or negative remarks onedusson.comline. NLN. (2012). Ethical Principles for Nursing Education. Retrieved from http://www.nln.org/docs/defaultedusson.comsource/defaultedusson.comdocumentedusson.comlibrary/ethicaledusson.comprinciplesedusson.comforedusson.comnursingedusson.comeducationedusson.comfinaledusson.comfinaledusson.com010312.pdf?sfvrsn=2 · Discuss if there is a relationship between your personal beliefs and values and this barrier. While I am not one to post things on <word blocked>, instagram or <word blocked> related to my job or any political views I have, I can definitely see how this can and does impact a healthcare organization or the practice of an APRN and cause a potential barrier. Any negative items posted onedusson.comline can reflect negatively on the place of business that an individual works for. “The nurse’s actions may reflect on the healthcare organization and result in a lawsuit or regulatory consequences,” (Elsevier, 2012). Many business or industries are taking to social media to “take a look” at the person they are considering hiring and often times continue monitoring their employees throughout their employment. “The consequences for inappropriate use of social media can be serious. If a nurse violates state or federal laws that protect patient privacy, civil and criminal penalties, including fines and possibly even jail time, may result,” (Elsevier, 2012). Elsevier. (2012). Nurses and Social Media. Retrieved from http://www.confidenceconnected.com/blog/2012/12/19/nurses_and_social_media/ · Describe at least one mechanism to overcome the barrier discussed. One of the main ways to avoid the consequences related to misuse of social media is to conduct yourself online as you would in your place of employment. Make use of the knowledge learned in relation to ethical principles. Never share or post anything that could breach confidentiality. Always be aware of and observe the professional relationship boundaries. Be sure to comply with your facilities social media policies. (Elsevier, 2012) Elsevier. (2012). Nurses and Social Media. Retrieved from http://www.confidenceconnected.com/blog/2012/12/19/nurses_and_social_media/ · Examine the potential cost and benefits to this barrier. The potential cost of this barrier is the loss of employment by the APRN and the cost of acquiring, hiring, and training of a new APRN by the organization.