identifying ethical practice in every day nursing.

ShayRN · Feb 14, 2008

Here are a couple ethical issues I have encountered:

Man says he is a Jehova Witness, needs blood transfusion but following the practice of his religion is refusing. (As is his right!) His daughter is threatening to sue the hospital for not transfusing if her father dies as she feels he "has not been an active member in the church for years." Ethics consult done and it was agreed patient was A/OX3 and able to decide for himself. A lot of documentation was done to cover ourselves. (BTW, I would have refused to transfuse blood on this man, even if it had been ordered:nono:)

Woman is 56 year old nursing home patient for many years. She has brittle DM with a bilat BKA, needs bypass surgery. Do you do it? I am sorry to say they did...part of the rehab for open heart is deep breathing and walking:rolleyes: She never left the hospital.

allnurses Guide · Feb 14, 2008

Ethics is also personal integrity in the little details that noone else will ever see.

If you accidently touch the end of the syringe on the sheet before giving the shot or connecting to the IV tubing, did you stop and change it?

If you dropped part of your linens on the floor, did you use them anyway? After all, the floor was mopped today, I'd use it if I was at home.....

Did you admit in your charting that the antibiotic was an hour late, not your fault and you hung it as soon as you could,........

High personal standards of care are part of every day ethics, especially when you are far behind, swamped, overworked and tired.