Ethics Question

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Oct 12, '12 by studentnurse1992

Hi there,

I am doing a paper about a ethical dilemma where the patient who requires a 2 person is refusing to have a bath.

A plan to resolve the dilemma is to explain to the patient the consequences of not having a bath and making sure they are informed and then letting them make the decision. Client choice over client well being.

How does that sound?

Thanks in advance!
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10 Comments so far...
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Oct 12, '12 by gwapo

Quote from studentnurse1992

Hi there,

I am doing a paper about a ethical dilemma where the patient who requires a 2 person is refusing to have a bath.

A plan to resolve the dilemma is to explain to the patient the consequences of not having a bath and making sure they are informed and then letting them make the decision. Client choice over client well being.

How does that sound?

Thanks in advance!

there is indeed some dilemma, but i don't think it is ethical. You are not resolving your dilemma by informing them of consequences.

KelRN215 likes this.
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Oct 12, '12 by studentnurse1992

Any suggestions on how to resolve it?

We were given this scenario and were to explain what makes it a ethical dilemma.
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Oct 12, '12 by gwapo

Quote from studentnurse1992

Any suggestions on how to resolve it?

We were given this scenario and were to explain what makes it a ethical dilemma.

Realistically, when a patient says no, there is nothing much you can do unless that intervention will risk his life. Even then, you still cant enforce anything without his consent. You cannot force him to have a bath as that may come out as assault. Hope somebody can help you and see an ethical dilemma from that situation. Good luck.
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Oct 12, '12 by happyloser

You could explain to the patient that proper hygiene will prevent degradation of skin integrity by removing dirt, debris, and bodily fluids that would otherwise cause skin breakdown. Explain the importance of a proper skin assessment to flag any possibly reddened areas that within 2 hours of lying still would begin the skin breakdown process. Afterwards I guess you could once again ask them if they would like a bath at this time. If they refuse once more then there isnt much you can do; as another poster said it could be taken as assault if a bath is done without a patient consenting.
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Oct 12, '12 by twinkerrs

The ethical issue is whether to try to "force" the patient to bathe or just take their no as a no. You need to assess whether it is a cultural issue or something along those lines. Their normal bathing habits etc

KelRN215 likes this.
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Oct 12, '12 by studentnurse1992

Thanks for the help. Respecting their choice is really the only way to go in this situation but I have to also look at the other side of it in regards to the paper.
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Oct 12, '12 by studentnurse1992

Thanks! That helps me a lot.
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Oct 12, '12 by studentnurse1992

Great point. Thank you
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Oct 12, '12 by gwapo

Quote from twinkerrs

The ethical issue is whether to try to "force" the patient to bathe or just take their no as a no. You need to assess whether it is a cultural issue or something along those lines. Their normal bathing habits etc

Great! I helps not to think too much