what nurses do in this situation?

[rinks2010]

A Nurse, has explained to his capable and cognitively well resident, the benefits of taking medication and firmly believes that the medication is in the clients best interest. The resident understands nurse's explanation, but refuses to take the medication. The resident states that the side effects of the medication cancel out the benefits. What do you do? Do you force the resident to take the medication? Do you make any referrals? Do you call anyone? What makes this an ethical decision? What do you do when your values and thoughts differ from your residents'?

[rinks2010]

Thanks friends

[diane227, LPN, RN]

People have the right to refuse medications, treatments etc that they don't agree with. I talk to them, explain the situation. If it is something emergent, then I call the doc. If not, I leave the doc a note about their concern. If it is an ongoing problem ie. they don't want to participate in their care at all, refuse vitals etc. then we have to get the doc, social worker etc to have a group meeting with the pt to decide what they want to do. If they don't want care, we discharge them. I assume you are talking about an awake alert oriented person.