Ethical Question

[CalvilloSN]

Does anyone know of information related to ethical dilemna regarding a 15 yr old in labor, where the mother refuses to let the girl have pain medication. Does the nurse give the med or not based on the mothers request for no med or the daughters who wants the med for pain. Does it matter if the girl is 15 or 18 when the nurse gives the medication based on the mothers request for not medication. This is to prevent her daughter from becoming pregnant again, hoping with all the pain she would not want another child. Help Please.....

[fiestynurse]

Rarely is such a declaration necessary for a minor to achieve his or her goal because certain actions automatically result in a minor becoming emancipated--these include pregnancy, marriage, or entry into the military. However, a minor usually wants to be declared emancipated to get a specific benefit or service. Government agencies usually have the authority to decide if a minor is emancipated, to authorize the benefit or service they administer. Therefore, it is usually not necessary for a minor to go to court to be declared emancipated.

[mother/babyRN, RN]

Larry, whatever the rule, whether a husband , significant other or any other person refuses to allow a patient who wants to be medicated, to take medication, I will side with and advocate with the patient...If this gets really horrible and the offending visitor or person attempts to intervene by "forcing" a person in a vulnerable position to acquiece to their wishes, I consider that a social service consult waiting to happen and will enter one so that the situation gets looked at..Obviously, the offending person is not caring for the mother to be....That raises red flags for me....Every time...It is one thing to attempt to steer someone away from pain medicine in a coaxing, concerned way, and it is another to deprive someone of something they either desire or need based on your wishes...I will advocate for that patient.....

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Mother -- Agree with nearly everything in your post.

Only part we may (or may not) see differently on: Don't think I'd be an advocate in absolutely EVERY case in which a child, for example, may wanna be medicated, contrary to the parent's desire.

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Originally posted by fiestynurse

Rarely is such a declaration necessary for a minor to achieve his or her goal because certain actions automatically result in a minor becoming emancipated--these include pregnancy, marriage, or entry into the military.

Just curious if you've checked the majority of the States' laws or reg's on this? Don't mean to seem argumentative, but your generalization sounds wrong from my previous studies.

If you can clarify the above (how you reached the conclusion) it'd be great. Thanks.

[HazeK]

uh, I take mom's like that aside privately, and ask them if they were thinking about childbirth the last time THEY had intercourse!!!! After they get over the shock of the question, I suggest that lovingly educating their sexually active child in the benefits of abstinece will go much futher in getting through to their daughter than obviously unkind torture will! I also suggest that, since the child is already sexually active, that birth control and personal protection may be an even better option!

IF I cannot get through to the mother, I insist the physician come to speak with her.

oh, and in my state, UNLESS the child is married or emancipated legal, "mom" can make the decision! Argh!

Haze

[L&D_RN_OH]

Originally posted by fiestynurse

Rarely is such a declaration necessary for a minor to achieve his or her goal because certain actions automatically result in a minor becoming emancipated--these include pregnancy,

Not in Ohio.