In line with her professional responsibilities, Althea must first rule out pregnancy before she considers prescribing medication for Jasmine’s nausea. Discuss the delicate balance between respecting patient autonomy and Althea’s responsibility to ensure Jasmine’s well-being. Is it ethical for Althea to be insistent about ruling out pregnancy, even if the patient is resistant?
Althea is new in her role of nurse practioner. Discuss the competencies registered nurses will develop as they becomes a nurse practitioners. Which of these competencies does Althea demonstrate in this scenario?
Balancing Patient Autonomy and Clinical Responsibility
Althea faces a delicate ethical dilemma: respecting Jasmine’s autonomy while ensuring her safety.
-
Respecting Patient Autonomy:
- Jasmine has the right to make informed decisions about her own healthcare.
- Althea must respect Jasmine’s autonomy and provide her with accurate information about the potential risks and benefits of different treatment options.
-
Clinical Responsibility:
- Althea has a professional and ethical obligation to provide safe and effective care.
- Ruling out pregnancy is crucial for Jasmine’s safety, as certain medications can be harmful to a developing fetus.
Ethical Considerations
- Informed Consent: Althea should explain the rationale for ruling out pregnancy clearly and respectfully.
- She should discuss the potential risks of medication during pregnancy, emphasizing that this is a standard precaution for women of childbearing age.
- Providing clear and accurate information empowers Jasmine to make an informed decision about her care.
- Therapeutic Communication:
- Althea should use active listening skills and empathetic communication to understand Jasmine’s concerns and address her resistance.
Balancing Patient Autonomy and Clinical Responsibility
Althea faces a delicate ethical dilemma: respecting Jasmine’s autonomy while ensuring her safety.
-
Respecting Patient Autonomy:
- Jasmine has the right to make informed decisions about her own healthcare.
- Althea must respect Jasmine’s autonomy and provide her with accurate information about the potential risks and benefits of different treatment options.
-
Clinical Responsibility:
- Althea has a professional and ethical obligation to provide safe and effective care.
- Ruling out pregnancy is crucial for Jasmine’s safety, as certain medications can be harmful to a developing fetus.
Ethical Considerations
- Informed Consent: Althea should explain the rationale for ruling out pregnancy clearly and respectfully.
- She should discuss the potential risks of medication during pregnancy, emphasizing that this is a standard precaution for women of childbearing age.
- Providing clear and accurate information empowers Jasmine to make an informed decision about her care.
- Therapeutic Communication:
- Althea should use active listening skills and empathetic communication to understand Jasmine’s concerns and address her resistance.