tmp 30458 EthicsCaseStudy
Ethics Case Study
Mr. Tate, a 59-year-old patient with end-stage renal disease, is well known to Jane Martin, APRN, who works in the dialysis clinic. Mr. Tate is hypertensive and overweight with a history of alcoholism. He often does not take his medications as ordered and almost never adheres to his prescribed diet. When Mr. Tae comes to the clinic, he often has excessive edema and is hypertensive. He admits to eating his favorite foods-hot dogs and potato chips. It is not unusual for Jane to smell alcohol on Mr. Tate’s breath. He even admits to drinking an occasional beer with his hot dogs and chips. Although Mr. Tate listens politely to Jane’s concerns about his lack of adherence to diet and medications, he continues to be non- adherent. Jane begins to wonder to what extent she as a nurse is obligated to spend time on patient teaching when the patient takes no responsibility for his own health. She also questions whether the benefit of expensive medications and treatments for Mr. Tate outweighs the cost.
1. What are Jane’s professional responsibilities to Mr. Tate? Jane’s responsibility as a nurse will be to continue to educate and assist the patient.
2. With whom could Jane discuss her ethical concerns regarding Mr. Tate? Jane can discuss her concerns with board at her Hospital.
3. What are Jane Martin’s responsibilities with regard to respecting Mr. Tate’s autonomy and right to self-determination? Janes responsibilities are to continue to provide care to the patient.
Mr. Tate, a 59-year-old patient with end-stage renal disease, is well known to Jane Martin, APRN, who works in the dialysis clinic. Mr. Tate is hypertensive and overweight with a history of alcoholism. He often does not take his medications as ordered and almost never adheres to his prescribed diet. When Mr. Tae comes to the clinic, he often has excessive edema and is hypertensive. He admits to eating his favorite foods-hot dogs and potato chips. It is not unusual for Jane to smell alcohol on Mr. Tate’s breath. He even admits to drinking an occasional beer with his hot dogs and chips. Although Mr. Tate listens politely to Jane’s concerns about his lack of adherence to diet and medications, he continues to be non- adherent. Jane begins to wonder to what extent she as a nurse is obligated to spend time on patient teaching when the patient takes no responsibility for his own health. She also questions whether the benefit of expensive medications and treatments for Mr. Tate outweighs the cost.
1. What are Jane’s professional responsibilities to Mr. Tate? Jane’s responsibility as a nurse will be to continue to educate and assist the patient.
2. With whom could Jane discuss her ethical concerns regarding Mr. Tate? Jane can discuss her concerns with board at her Hospital.
3. What are Jane Martin’s responsibilities with regard to respecting Mr. Tate’s autonomy and right to self-determination? Janes responsibilities are to continue to provide care to the patient.