NSG/426: Integrity In Practice: Ethic And Legal Considerations | Summative Assessment: Accountability | Homework Solution

NSG/426: Integrity In Practice: Ethic And Legal Considerations | Summative Assessment: Accountability

Nurses are faced with situations where legal and ethical considerations are complex and sometimes don’t have a simple or clear solution. Unfortunately, nurses are frequently held accountable in these complex situations, which is why it is important for nurses to understand what they can and can’t do, what they will be accountable for, and what they are responsible for. In this assessment, you will analyze a complex topic from an ethical and legal perspective. You should also analyze its impact on nurses and accountability.

NSG/426: Integrity In Practice: Ethic And Legal Considerations | Summative Assessment: Accountability

Select 1 of the following topics, or another topic approved by your instructor:

    • Health care as a right or privilege
    • Futile care
    • Whistleblowing
    • Euthanasia and assisted suicide
    • Clinical uses for illicit substances (e.g., medical marijuana, MDMA for PTSD)

Research your selected topic.

Analyze a nurse’s ethical responsibilities related to your selected topic.

Take a position on the topic and explain your position in detail.

Summarize the steps in the ethical decision-making model you employed and the process used to arrive at your position.

Discuss how your position affects nurses and how nurses can be held accountable in situations related to your selected topic.

Cite at least 3 evidence-based, peer-reviewed sources published within the last 5 years to support your position(s).

Format your assignment in a 875-word paper.

Include an APA-formatted reference list.

Papers and posts should have less than 10 percent of the words directly quoted from other sources.

**Reference needs to be within 5 years (2020-2024)

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NSG/426: Integrity In Practice: Ethic And Legal Considerations | Summative Assessment: Accountability

SAMPLE ANSWER

Summative Assessment: Accountability

Topic: Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

Introduction

Euthanasia and assisted suicide present ethical and legal challenges for nurses. As end-of-life care becomes increasingly complex, nurses must navigate their professional responsibilities while upholding legal and ethical standards. This paper explores euthanasia and assisted suicide from both perspectives, evaluates the impact on nursing accountability, and provides a well-reasoned position on the topic using an ethical decision-making model.

Legal Responsibilities of Nurses Related to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

Nurses must adhere to the legal frameworks governing euthanasia and assisted suicide in their jurisdiction. In countries or states where these practices are illegal, participating in euthanasia or assisted suicide can lead to severe legal consequences, including loss of licensure and criminal charges. Even in regions where assisted suicide is legal, such as Oregon under the Death with Dignity Act, nurses must follow strict protocols. They are prohibited from administering lethal doses themselves but can provide information and emotional support to patients considering the option. Nurses must be aware of these boundaries to avoid legal repercussions while ensuring that patient care remains within the law.

Ethical Responsibilities of Nurses Related to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

From an ethical standpoint, euthanasia and assisted suicide challenge the core principles of nursing, particularly non-maleficence (do no harm) and beneficence (promote good). Nurses are often confronted with the dilemma of respecting a patient’s autonomy while grappling with their personal and professional beliefs. The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics states that nurses should not participate in assisted suicide or euthanasia, as it contradicts the role of the nurse as a healer. However, nurses are ethically obligated to provide compassionate care, which includes understanding and supporting a patient’s end-of-life wishes, even if they do not align with the nurse’s beliefs.

Position on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

I take the position that while euthanasia and assisted suicide should remain legally regulated, nurses should be allowed to play a supportive role within the boundaries of the law. Nurses are on the front lines of patient care and are often the most involved in a patient’s day-to-day struggles with pain and suffering. Therefore, they should be empowered to offer information, emotional support, and guidance without crossing legal lines.

While I agree that nurses should not directly participate in euthanasia, I believe that prohibiting them from providing support undermines their role as patient advocates. Nurses can help patients explore all available options, ensuring that decisions are made based on fully informed consent and within ethical guidelines.

Ethical Decision-Making Model

In arriving at this position, I employed the Four-Box Method of ethical decision-making, which includes medical indications, patient preferences, quality of life, and contextual features.

  1. Medical Indications: This step considers the medical facts, including the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options. In the context of euthanasia and assisted suicide, nurses should assess whether all other treatment avenues have been exhausted and whether palliative care can address the patient’s suffering.
  2. Patient Preferences: This is critical in respecting patient autonomy. Nurses should ensure that the patient’s decision is voluntary and informed, without coercion or misunderstanding. Providing support during this stage is crucial for a patient-centered approach.
  3. Quality of Life: Nurses should assess the patient’s quality of life, considering both the physical and psychological aspects. If a patient perceives their quality of life as unbearable despite all available treatments, it is essential to respect this viewpoint within ethical boundaries.
  4. Contextual Features: This step involves considering broader factors, such as legal constraints, cultural beliefs, and the impact on healthcare providers. Nurses should ensure that their actions comply with legal and institutional policies while also considering the moral implications.

By using this model, I concluded that nurses should be able to support patients exploring euthanasia and assisted suicide, provided their actions remain within legal limits and ethical standards.

NSG/426: Integrity In Practice: Ethic And Legal Considerations | Summative Assessment: Accountability

Impact on Nurses and Accountability

Nurses who provide care to patients considering euthanasia and assisted suicide face significant emotional and professional challenges. They must balance their duty to alleviate suffering with legal and ethical constraints. By taking a supportive role, nurses can maintain their accountability by ensuring that patients receive comprehensive, compassionate care without crossing ethical or legal boundaries.

Accountability in these situations requires nurses to stay informed about legal requirements, institutional policies, and ethical standards. Nurses must also be prepared to advocate for their patients while ensuring that their actions do not violate professional codes of conduct.

Conclusion

Euthanasia and assisted suicide remain contentious topics in nursing practice. While legal restrictions vary, nurses must understand their legal responsibilities and ethical obligations when confronted with these issues. By adopting a supportive, patient-centered approach within legal and ethical boundaries, nurses can uphold their accountability while providing compassionate care. This position respects patient autonomy, ensures informed decision-making, and maintains the nurse’s role as a dedicated healthcare provider.

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References

  1. American Nurses Association. (2021). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/code-of-ethics-for-nurses/
  2. Lachman, V. D. (2020). Euthanasia and assisted suicide: A nurse’s dilemma. Nursing Ethics, 27(3), 697-703.
  3. Sulmasy, D. P., & Mueller, P. S. (2021). Ethics and the legalization of physician-assisted suicide: An American College of Physicians position paper. Annals of Internal Medicine, 174(1), 56-59.

NSG/426: Integrity In Practice: Ethic And Legal Considerations | Summative Assessment: Accountability

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