Ethical Duties of Nurses in Providing Treatment: A Case Study

Nursing Ethics and the Health Care Profession

Please note tutors, lecturers and the unit coordinators will not answer questions relating to the content of the problem solving exercise to be fair to all students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it enough that I identify the relevant parts of the Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, and the ethical and legal principles?
A: Please refer to the CRA for this particular piece of assessment. You will note that we emphasise application of the ethics/law to the facts of the scenario. You need to provide an argument about why a particular ethical principle, for example, is relevant and applicable to the scenario. You need to go beyond, for example, saying the patient is vulnerable – in what particular ways is the patient vulnerable in the context of the scenario?
Q: What is included in the word count?
A: The word count includes all headings, in-text references, direct quotes, sections of the Codes but excludes the reference list and any cover sheet. A penalty may be imposed and marks deducted for those that go over the maximum word limit.
Q: Do I need to find legal cases or legislation to complete this assessment?
A: This is not a research assignment. You are not required to find and read cases or to find and read legislation. Use the lecture materials, tutorial materials and textbook (and we recommend accessing relevant text books). Bear in mind that we have provided you will all relevant Queensland law in the lectures and tutorials and you must apply relevant Queensland law.
Q: Do I need to access journal articles to complete this assessment?
A: This is not a research assignment. You are not required to find and read journal articles. Use the lecture materials, tutorial materials and the text book (and we recommend accessing relevant text books).
Q: Am I required to have an introduction or conclusion?
A: This is a problem based assessment and you are directed to apply the ethical decision-making framework to a scenario. You should not present this in essay form and so there is no need for an introduction and conclusion – use the structure of the ethical decision-making framework to guide the structure of your answer.
Q: What if I can’t fit everything into 1600 words?
A: This is a problem based question to which you are applying a decision-making framework. It is not an essay. You are expected therefore to be succinct in your answers and confine yourself to addressing the issues raised by the problem. You do need to write in complete sentences, with appropriate spelling and grammar, but you may use bullet points (where appropriate), short sentences and so on.
Q: Will there only be one issue?
A: There may be more than one issue raised by the problem scenario and you need to identify and apply the Codes, ethical principles and law to all issues and come up with actions and an implementation strategy for all issues. Please also note that the issues raised in the problem might not be confined to one topic. Read the directions on the assignment very carefully, as they may require you to focus on one issue.
Q: Do I need to include the complete wording of a values statement or conduct statement in my assignment?
A: The word count is 1600 words for the individual exercise so you do not have the space to include the full wording. So you could: Quote the relevant bit and relate it to the facts (E.g. VS2(2) 'Nurses actively preserve the dignity of people through practised kindness and by recognising the vulnerability and powerlessness of people in their care' and/or you can use an ellipsis (i.e. ...) (i.e. 'Nurses ... recognising the vulnerability and powerlessness of people in their care'). Amy is particularly vulnerable due to her young age, illness and the fact that she may have suffered child abuse.); Paraphrase it in your own words and relate it to the facts (E.g. VS2(2) notes that nurses ought to be aware of the vulnerability of patients. Amy is particularly vulnerable due to her young age, illness and the fact that she may have suffered child abuse.); or You may be able to combine the identification and justification into the same sentence. (E.g. VS2(2): nurses recognise the vulnerability and powerlessness of patients like Amy who are especially vulnerable due to their young age, illness and the fact that she may have suffered child abuse.)
2
Q: How many references do I need?
A: There is no prescribed number of references that are required. You must comply with the referencing guidelines found at www.citewrite.qut.edu.au. However see below for referencing legislation and cases.
Q: How do I reference legislation?
A: To reference legislation in-text, you need to include the name of the Act and section number e.g. (Coroners Act, s 43). In your reference list, you need to use the full legal citation i.e. Coroners Act 1958 (Qld). Even if you cite various sections of the Act in text, in the reference list you only need to list the Act on one occasion in your reference list. You can find the citations in the lecture slides or if it is referred to in textbooks you are using, you will generally find the full citations in the endnotes or footnotes of the relevant chapter of that text.
Q: How do I reference cases?
A: When referencing cases in-text, you only need to include the name of the case e.g. (Donoghue v Stevenson). In your reference list, you are required to include the full legal citation i.e. Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562. You can find the citations in the lecture slides or if it is referred to in textbooks you are using, you will generally find the full citations in the endnotes or footnotes of the relevant chapter of that text.
Q: How do I reference the Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct?
A: Full references must be provided for the Codes. See www.citewrite.qut.edu.au for details (APA/public documents/standards and reference accordingly).
Q: Can I use third person?
A: If you want to, yes you may.
Q: What perspective am I taking when I write the assignment?
A: You must address all issues that are raised by scenario which requires thinking broadly.
Q: Will the teaching staff or tutors review my draft?
No – with close to 700 students in this unit we cannot read drafts. Additionally, part of the assessment is about identifying the correct issues and solving them appropriately.
Q: Do I need to submit this through Turnitin?
A: Yes – do not submit a hard copy via Assignment Minder. Only an electronic copy is required.
Q: Can we work together when preparing our answer for the assignment?
A: Note that this is an individual piece of assessment. You must familiarise yourself with the University’s policy on academic integrity and assessment. Copying another student’s work is considered as academic misconduct.

The nursing profession is recognized as a critical relationship between the health and human rights. The powerful contribution made by them in establishing equivalent human rights that can help in improving the overall outcomes.  In health care profession acceptance of principles, standards are recognized as a prominent activity. Highest attainment of health is the fundamental requirement of a health care professional.

Whether the nurse has a right to get Hai’s treatment done without his consent?

What are the ethical duties and rights of a nurse in case of taking care of a patient?

The purpose is to consider value statement in maintaining ethical practices.  The ethical practice can cause challenges for nurse (Callaghan & Ryan, 2012). The Nurses have to develop their knowledge and understanding in order to seek clarification regarding relevant practice. The report establishes ethical duties with nurses to provide treatment to those who are suffering with mental illness. The given case study provides an insight towards the right available with a nurse to resolve mental issues.

The mental health Act 2016 provides protection and remedies to the health care practioner in case if the patient denies getting treatment.  If the patient has been diagnosed with mental ailment then the medical practioner in his capacity can provide effective treatment (About the Mental Health Act 2016, 2016).

In the given case Hai, a 20 years old male patient was admitted to the hospital due to a broken arm.  The paramedic found the incidence as an accident caused due to falling from his apartment window.