Minnesota Nurse Practice Act
The Minnesota Nurse Practice Act Statute 148.261 Grounds for Disciplinary Action, part 11 states “Engaging in any unethical conduct, including, but not limited to, conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public, or demonstrating a willful or careless disregard for the health, welfare, or safety of a patient. Actual injury need not be established under this clause.” This state statute applies to the given scenario as the nurse by complying with the doctor’s orders is participating in an unethical intervention for the patient Mr. E. The ordered interventions not only go against the wishes of the patient but also consent is obtained from a person that has no legal authority to consent to such procedures on behalf of the patient ("Minnesota statutes 2010," 2010).
The ANA Nursing Code of Ethics applies to this case study in that it addresses ethical responsibilities and the nurse’s role in advocating for the patient. Section 1.4 of The Code of Ethics for nurses is the right to self-determination and applies to this scenario. This code should impact the nurse in his or her profession decision when caring for this patient. The code of ethics should serve as a guide to the nurse in this scenario empowering the nurse to use the knowledge that the patient had previously set forth in legal documents to discuss with the physician, the legal and moral obligations of the healthcare team in regards to this patient’s treatment plan. The Code of Ethics provides a basis for the nurse to guide his or her practice and support of the patient. It would be unethical for the doctor to place this patient on a ventilator. The patient took steps to ensure that future healthcare decisions would be addressed in the event that he could not make his own decisions. This legal document not only specified Mr. E’s wishes, but also included a durable power of attorney to make decisions for him in the event that he was unable to do so himself. By placing Mr. E on a ventilator,
The ANA Nursing Code of Ethics applies to this case study in that it addresses ethical responsibilities and the nurse’s role in advocating for the patient. Section 1.4 of The Code of Ethics for nurses is the right to self-determination and applies to this scenario. This code should impact the nurse in his or her profession decision when caring for this patient. The code of ethics should serve as a guide to the nurse in this scenario empowering the nurse to use the knowledge that the patient had previously set forth in legal documents to discuss with the physician, the legal and moral obligations of the healthcare team in regards to this patient’s treatment plan. The Code of Ethics provides a basis for the nurse to guide his or her practice and support of the patient. It would be unethical for the doctor to place this patient on a ventilator. The patient took steps to ensure that future healthcare decisions would be addressed in the event that he could not make his own decisions. This legal document not only specified Mr. E’s wishes, but also included a durable power of attorney to make decisions for him in the event that he was unable to do so himself. By placing Mr. E on a ventilator,