Nurse ethics Essay

Ethics has become part of the nurses’ life when it comes to decision making and taking actions in the face of adversity or opportunity. Husted and Husted (2008, p.9) states that the patients has lost their power to take actions on their medical conditions due to the lack of knowledge in the health care settings. Hence, the healthcare providers are there to impart their skills and knowledge to treat the patient with the best care. This assignment would discuss how the medical decisions for A B who has undergone radical mastectomy are made using the model for ethical decision-making. A B’s husband suspects that there might be a spread of the tumors and informed the nurse in the out patient clinic not to mention to her if she had a spread of the tumor. A has the right to refuse to speak to the counselor and not to know in depth of her disease process. The ethical dilemma is in this case study is, whether the nurse should refrain herself from reveBng A’s progress on her condition. The second ethical dilemma is should A continue to restrain herself from speaking to her counselor. Yarbro, Frogge and Goodman (2005) states that the prognoses of patients with non invasive tumors will benefit from the mastectomy, however for patients who have invasive tumors are at probability for relapse. After the mastectomy operation the patients are at risk of wound infection, flap necrosis and seroma formation. Yabro et al. (2005) also mentioned that although breast cancer in young women is a rare condition, the disease is more aggressive biologically and has unfavorable prognosis as compared to older women. In most of the conditions, radiation therapy or chemotherapy is given to reduce the chances of relapses and to increase the chance of survival. This shows that there is high chance for A to have a relapse and that she is also highly at risk for depression due to her medial condition, and the altered body image. Mastectomy causes emotional distress and that is advisable to seek a counselor or a social worker to express the feelings which aids in recovery (Mills, 2006, p.561). In a research done on emotions of patients after mastectomy found that patients who have undergone mastectomy experienced is similar feelings to those of bereavement. Anxiety, denial and tension leading to stress are commonly found after post operation of mastectomy patients .The research further elaborates that the role of the patient in social, sexual and interpersonal is altered thus affecting the individual physically and mentally (Farooqi, 2005, p.270). Having so many mental and physical conflicts, A should seek help from the counselors and allow herself to express her thoughts so that she is able to cope with the situation. By doing so, she will be able to see things positively and have the courage to move on. Keeping in mind that she has two children, A will also need to make the necessary arrangements for the children in terms of financial, social and physical needs. National University Hospital (n.d) states that patients have the right to know information about their treatment and care plan and to participate in decision-making about their treatment care and their discharge. A has the right to know her treatment plan. She will not be able to see the broader picture of her condition and will remain in depression thinking that it is the end of the world if she remains unaware. When help is provided, she will be highly motivated to move on. Respect for autonomy is the fundamental rule of clinical ethics. It is defined as an individual right to make a decision without having interferences by others and personal limitations. Healthcare providers should educate and guide the patients so that they can understand the medical condition and will be able to make decisions. Patients have the right to seek consent for their medical treatment and to disclose information about their medical condition to them (Pantilat, 2008). Therefore, the nurse should inform A regarding the spread of the cancer, if there is, so that she will be able to make a rightful decision on her treatment. This is supported by AustrBan Nursing and Midwifery Council (AMNC) (2006), Code of Professional Conduct, Conduct Statement 7; nurses are required to inform the patient of the nature and purpose of recommended nursing care to assist the patient to make informed decisions. However, the husband had mentioned not to inform A about the spread to prevent their marriage from getting worst. By listening to the husband’s point of views, there are chances of saving their marriage and it benefits A and her family. Beneficence Beneficence is explained has an action done to promote good for others. An obligatory act to assist patients based on their importance and legitimate interests (Beauchamp & Childress, as cited in Parker & Dickenson, 2010, p.195). In the case study, it is said that A is very stressful and that she does not want to talk about her disease to the counselors. If the nurse listens to the husbands instruction, A’s stress level will not be added on and thus doing good for her. On the other hand, if A is not told about the disease and how much the counselors wanted to help her. The more she will pull herself back and may decide not to have any further treatment. These will deteriorate her condition. SNB Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Value Statement 7 states that clients’ best interests must be taken care of (SNB, 2006 p. 8). Non-maleficence is a principal that requires not inflicting harm to the patients. Before being ethically reasonable in trying to help the genuine interest, the nurse must be very certain of doing no harm. Aiken (2004), non-maleficence demands that health care providers defend from harm to those who cannot protect themselves. SNB Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Value Statement 5.1 and AustrBan Nursing & Midwifery Council (ANMC) Code of Ethics for Nurses in AustrBa Value Statement 1 both supports that nurses should safeguard the health and safety of their clients against incompetent, unethical or illegal practices. In A’s case, there is no evident that she is in a state of unsound mind or there that she wants her husband to decide for her. Therefore A should be informed of a disease process and allow herself to speak to the counselors. If A is not told the truth, the nurse is indirectly inflicting harm for the patient as she owes a duty of care. Yeo, Moorhouse, Khan and Rodney (2010, p.293) mentioned that justice is the wider sense of fairness, whereby everyone should be treated fairly and equally based on the individual or groups entitlements. Every patient would want know how much their condition has improved or deteriorated. In A case, she deserves to be treated and to know her prognosis as this allows her to have time to make arrangements in her social life. She may not want to talk about her disease to the counselor but there might be someone whom she feels comfortable in opening up. As her care providers, the team of healthcare professionals should find out the details and provide her with the best care possible. There is no evidence that A is in a state of unsound mind and that she has given her rights to her husband to make decisions on behalf of her. Therefore it is Madam Aminiah’s right to know her condition and to discuss her treatment plan. Although by breaking the news A would be distressed but it is the responsibility of the practitioners to give her an opportunity to participate in the decision making even if it has to involve a third party with A’s approval. After making discussions with A, she decides that her husband will be the only decision maker, he will be the surrogate decision maker (University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, n.d) and we should respect her decision. Butts and Rich (2013) mentioned that a better ethical approach to patient care is by providing truthful information at the same time keeping the patient composed and educating her successful ways to manage her condition. Although by not telling A the truth may save her marriage life and benefit her family. The rights of the patients should not be violated. When patient right are being violated, the nurse is at risk of causing harm. SNB Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Value Statement 2 emphasize the mandate of respect and support clients’ autonomy. Value Statement 7 requires nurses to defend those clients who may be vulnerable and incapable of protecting their own interests and to be an advocate in the best interest of their clients. Everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty. The approved investigators must collect enough evidences to visibly convince Nursing commission members that a violation had occurred. Under the Patients’ Right (Scotland) Act 2011, section 3, states that patient has the right to know about their condition and to make decision relating to the patient’s health and well being. As nurses, we should not refrain ourselves from telling the patient the truth unless stated. This is vastly supported by SNB Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, value statement 2 Respect and promotes client’s autonomy. Therefore the nurse could be liable for professional misconduct under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2012, Chapter 209. Although A is in a stressful situation, there is no evident that her stress is allowing her to loose her rights in making decision for her disease. A is still in a state of sound mind and therefore her rights should not be violated unless she has agreed for her husband to decide for her or she showed signs and symptoms of unsound mind. This case is indeed an ethical challenge faced by the health care professionals. The author’s decision is to inform the patient on her current condition. If A is to have a spread, it’s her right to know so that she could make the right decision. This decision is supported by AustrBan Nursing and Midwifery Council, (AMNC, 2008) conduct statement 7; Nurses support the health, wellbeing and informed decision making of people requiring or receiving care. However, the physician will be the best person to break the news. Sullivan (2011) mentioned that health information is compulsory for the patient and it is the ethical and legal obligation of the physician to communicate that information so that patients can make decisions. The patient has the right to a diagnosis and, if consented to, the physician has a duty to treat. Therefore the author will update the team doctors. When A had decided to allow her husband to be her decision maker, than her rights will be respected. In A’s case, a family conference would help to resolve not only her medical issue but also her social issue. The team doctors will have to document the decision in the treatment and progress notes Medical records are legal documentations that are extremely essential and serve as a means of communication in the health care industry. When there is systemic documentation of patient’s medical history and the treatment provided are recorded, it may benefit when used as an evident in the court (Judson & Harrison, 2013, p. 196). ANMC National Competency Standards for Registered Nurse, statement 6.3 and 8 both highlight that documentation of care plan must bring about towards achieving expected outcome based on continuity of assessment and to be transparent (ANMC, 2006, p. 5 & 6). A’s decision should be clearly documented on the progress notes highlighting the issues of her decision maker and the treatment recommended to her. Situations that offer ethical dilemmas are common in the healthcare industry. In such situations, it is critical to consider not only the standard regulations, but also the professional code of ethics within the profession. To avoid any legal implication, the medial and nursing team should be mindful of their care provided without violating patient’s interest.

Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 2

Psychology - Essay Example They will behave aggressively if put in a group of aggressive people. This perspective views human behavior as a result of the manner in which people interact with the environment as well as their reaction to it. The circumstances in which a child grows largely affect his/her behavior. Exposure of a child to antisocial behavior may lead to development of similar behavior in him/her (HJelle, & Ziegler, 1992). According to Barbara (2006), the behavior of people is variable depending on the situation in which they are in. The situationalists consider human behavior to be based on time and space as well as the continuous activities of other people. This perspective is often overlooked by the society. People fail to understand the impact of external factors on the behaviors of individual. For example, the cultural and ethnic backgrounds present situations that are unique within different social settings. Hofsted defines culture as a tool that the mind applies to guide a person’s day to day activities and interactions with others. He believes that culture is a collective aspect of a population that has occupied a particular social environment where individuals learn unique norms and also develop standards that guide their behavior. These behaviors make a distinction between cultures since all individuals in a particular culture share norms and customs (Hofstede, 1991). Culture generate s circumstances that shape the behavior of humans. In essence, if all people grew up under the same cultural background, they are likely to develop similar behaviors. If they grow separately, they tend to be different as regards their actions, behaviors as well as their way of thinking. In contrast, the personality side of the debate argues that people really are different, and even given the best possible situation, people’s outcomes will be different. Personality is a term that represents the typical patterns of personal judgment, mind-set and actions

DO SOCIOLOGICAL METHODS PROVIDE AN ACCURATE PORTRAYAL OF THE Essay

DO SOCIOLOGICAL METHODS PROVIDE AN ACCURATE PORTRAYAL OF THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD WHAT IS LEFT OUT BY THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE - Essay Example Many fundamental discoveries in sociology have been made, reviewed, established, evaluated and adjusted according to new data in the past decades. However, the current position in sociological research is looking at tools and techniques which could not have been imagined a few decades ago (Platt, 1996). The application of the scientific method of study to sociology created the first revolution and the information age can be said to bring about the second revolution for all fields of study. This is especially true in sociology since the ability to crunch numbers at light speed is only possible with the use of new and powerful computers. While the modern methods of research and analysis have had an important effect on the field, scientists are also concerned about their overuse and a lack of focus on actually performing the study and too much attention on the analysis and twisting of the results. Indiscriminate application of technology and statistical tools can only result in situations where the application of sociology is more or less meaningless (Chatterjee, 2004). Some human conditions can not be described in percentages or in terms of numbers and require more than simply pushing buttons. Sociologists apply methods and techniques which result in statistical figures used by governments and the media and we are often told that one can prove anything with statistics. While tricks may be played with statistics, there is no doubt that the scientific methods needs to be applied for it to give results that are useful. We can debate all we want about qualitative/quantitative evaluations, micro/macro assessments and inductive/deductive reasoning but unless the scientific method is applied any research can be doubted. With the correct application, statistical sources and various methods for research and analysis are invaluable tools but misuse and unethical

INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTING Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTING - Essay Example This common set of recognized accounting standards are collectively known as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).These standards provide information in how to properly communicate economic events or transactions (Investorwords, 2011). The conceptual framework of accounting provides the required information and guidelines regarding the objectives of financial reporting, the qualitative characteristics of financial information, operating guidelines and composition and required elements of financial statements. According to Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) the goals of financial reporting are to provide information that: Its useful for making investment and credit decisions Is helpful in assessing the value of future cash flows Identifies assets, liabilities and serves to identify changes in those resources and claims (Obaidat, 2007). In order to make financial information useful there are certain qualitative characteristics that all accounting information must po sses to prove useful in the decision making posses. These characteristics are (Cliffnotes, 2011): 1. Relevance-the accounting information provided to the user must make a difference in their decision making. Relevant financial information has to provide either predictive value, provide feedback value or both. Predictive value helps the user forecast future events, such as predicting future stock valuation or future earnings. Information that provides feedback value focuses on confirming or corrects prior information or assumptions . In order for information to be relevant it must be provided in a timely manner so it can provide the right information and at the correct timeframe where it can help guide the decision making process. 2. Reliability-It is expected that financial information must be free of material errors or persona bias. In order to be reliable the information provided must be verifiable, in order to prove that it is free from material errors or bias. As an additional r equirement the substance of the information provided must be a faithful representation of the economic events which it summarizes. The last prerequisite of reliable information must be neutral or free of bias. 3. Comparability-the usefulness of financial information is maximized when it can be compared with similar accounting information of other businesses or enterprises. This comparability can only be achieved when the different companies adopt the same accounting principles. In general comparability extends to all accounting not to only financial statements but to all accounting procedures such as costing, inventory and expense recognition. Since there are variations in GAAP and procedures that can be utilized the company must fully disclose the accounting methods used for the recording of financial events or transactions. 4. Consistency-The principle of consistency simply means that a company must use the same accounting principles and methodology from year to year. If a company decides to change any of its accounting practices and adopts a new method, it is the responsibility of management to prove that the new method provides a more accurate or meaningful representation of the financial information. There are a series of operating constrains and guidelines that serve as the foundation to any financial account. These guidelines are classified as assumptions, principles and constraints (Investorwords, 2011).

Project Proposal for Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Project for Paper - Research Proposal Example 262). Cybercrime can take on many shapes and forms. It can begin as something seemingly harmless, and rise to one of the gravest threats to personal and national security that exists today. It is also a troubling trend that the majority of the perpetrators of such crimes appear be young people under the age of 26. They often justify their actions initially as harmless hacking just for fun, but they quickly realize that their actions could prove to be quite lucrative. The harm done to victims of cybercrime, however, are immense. It is important to note that cybercrime does not only involve a financial element. There are crimes being committed that involve spam, harassment, threats, child pornography, and child endangerment just to name a few (Lee, 2012, p. 14). This proposal will detail the reasons why cybercrime is a serious issue today and explore the basis for future research and study that will be conducted in this area. Problem Statement The problem is that cybercrime has become so pervasive in society today and many people are fearful of the damage, both psychological and and financial, that can be perpetrated on them via technology. In addition, the problem has persisted to the point that it is costing society hundreds of millions of dollars a year in damages and preventative measures. Network security has been compromised to the point that clients and IT professionals globally has lost trust in conducting many types of electronic commerce transactions. Tremendous and organized efforts are currently underway to tackle this problem, but it is requiring an inordinate amount of manpower and resources, further compounding the financial cost to society. In addition, resources are having to be reallocated to this area, limiting technological progress and business expansion that could be otherwise achieved, largely owed to the sophistication that the average cyber criminal is exhibiting today (Gray, 2004; Lin, Fofanah, & Liang, 2011). This is a problem and issue that is serious and requires immediate attention. The rapid globalization take place today requires technological innovation. Companies and countries around the world are in a constant struggle to maintain a competitive advantages over others in the same industry (Kolsaker & Lee-Kelley, 2008). Cybercrime has impacted companies by threatening their infrastructure and their financial well being. Furthermore, cybercrime has impacted the countries around the world by enhancing certain espionage activities that serve the threaten and raises issues of national security across the board. Finally, cybercrime impacts the individual citizen on multiple fronts. Identity theft, for example, has become a common method of cybercrime whereby an individual’s very identity is stolen for personal gain. Not only does this create a loss of trust in technology by the victim, but it can create immense financial and emotional trouble that can take years to unravel and correct. In addition, compute r crime has made it much easier for a certain criminal element to prey on innocent children around the world. These issues alone demonstrate the importance of examining this problem with a united and global front. Let us now examine the relevance and significance of this proposed study. Relevance and Significance The security

Computer Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Computer Security - Essay Example Their main result being that vulnerability disclosures mostly lead to a negative and critical change in the market value for a software developer. A solid base for the formation of their argument against information sharing is due to the realization that on average, a vendor loses approximately 0.6% value in stock price when a vulnerability is reported; This being about a 0.86$ billion loss per vulnerability announcement. The Organization of Internet Safety (OIS) defines security vulnerability as a flaw within a software system that can cause it to work against its original design and make it prone to outside manipulation. With the rapid advancement in technology and the internet evolution information sharing has peaked to a new level. This despite its advantages in terms of rapid information sharing also brings to surface the increased chances of vulnerabilities being exposed. As a result not only are software security products like firewalls at a risk but software like operating sy stems and enterprise software can also be manipulated to create security related attacks; Hence providing another aspect that goes against information sharing due to the presence of vulnerabilities. Further examples in terms of a study by NIST in 2002 can be observed which estimated the cost of faulty software at $60 bn per year. Most prominent are incidents like Cod Red virus and the Melissa virus in which hackers exploited flaws in the software and caused enormous damages. Moving on to some arguments in favor of information sharing despite the existence of vulnerabilities we see that prior literature suggests that software defects don’t necessarily lead to a loss in market value of firm. This is due to two main reasons; firstly because the End User License Agreement limits the liability of the software developers encouraging them to facilitate information sharing despite the costs. Second due to the general philosophy held by software stakeholders that it is a uniquely comp lex product which will have understandable defects. A key example here is that of the numerous vulnerabilities present in Microsoft and yet its products are not associated in any way with low quality simply because of the huge user base that it holds in terms of information sharing. Arora, Telang and Xu (2004) look at a more optimistic picture of the vulnerability aspect and argue in favor of information sharing as their study leads them to the conclusion that disclosure can force vendors to release patches quickly. Arora, Caulkins and Telang (2003) follow suit and they discover that larger software vendors find it optimal to rush product into market and then invest in post launch patching hence saving overall product costs and using vulnerability to their advantage. Externality is defined by economists as a situation in which an individual’s actions have economic repercussions for others. It is important to note that in these instances the fact that there is no compensation is of critical importance. Externalities are divided into positive and negative. In negative externality the consequences are mostly known, for example the effects of environmental pollution caused by a plant and the way it might have an impact on the neighboring

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Essay Example for Free

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Essay In the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, the main character, Huck Finn, undergoes a variety of experiences that changes him as a man, relationships with other characters in the novel and we get to understand the author’s perspective through the characters. Huck Finn flourished in many ways through the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Huck Finn grew up with the stereotype that all blacks are meaningless and do not deserve to live the same life style and have the same rights as any white man. His father brings these views to Huckleberry’s attention. During the novel, Huck travels the Mississippi river with a black male slave named Jim, throughout the journey Huck learns how to be selflessness and have empathy for others. By experiencing different obstacles and situations, Huckleberry gains an insight into others’ lives and how their experiences differ from his. He learns to be more open to new and different outlooks of life. He learns courage, empathy, compassion, and the differences between law and moral right and wrong. Because of these experiences, Huck gains courage and maturity. Huckleberry is a new and improved man by the end of the novel. Throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain illustrates the bond formed between Huck, the young white protagonist, and Jim, Hucks black companion. As time goes on Huck begins to realize and understand how black men have been treated throughout their lives and starts to respect Jim more and more by who he actually is. While Huck and Jim travel down the river it becomes apparent that Jim is more of a father figure to Huck than his biological father. Huck’s father, Pap, teaches the virtues of a life not worth living, while Jim gives Huck the proper fatherly support, compassion, and knowledge for Huck to become a man. While Pap acts as an anchor on Hucks heel, Jim opens up a new world for Huck, and becomes his companion and a resource of knowledge. He finds the ideal combination of respect, love, and protection in Jim. Although Jim is not book smart, he maintains the simple values that Huck needs. Although Huck and Jim come from separate racial backgrounds their time together allows them to surpass their ethnic segregation and become true friends, and family. Huck returns the respect and gratefulness to Jim by keeping his promise and helping him become a free man. At the end of the novel, Huck thinks of Jim as being no different from any white man and doesn’t deserve to be treated differently otherwise. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, readers can identify Mark Twain’s picture of Southern society through the characters. Mark Twain harshly undermines our society in his novel by satirizes religion, civilization, and human nature to expose the flaws and weaknesses behind American society. Twain criticizes religion in society through satirizing Miss Watson and Silas Phelps for being highly religious yet hypocritical figures. Twain states that religious people can be hypocrites in situations such as in his novel, where they purposely ignore certain teachings of their religion. The Bible encourages that people treat others they wish to be treated, and here Miss Watson blatantly ignores that by being a slave owner. Even though many schools and parents would prohibit reading this novel because of its language and maliciousness, Twain states that he writes the truth. Huck is critical of many things and people in this novel. He implies that humans understand and comprehend the world by different means and rely on different sources to provide the truth. People use their senses, reasoning, emotion, past experiences and what others have taught them to understand the world and how to make their own decisions. To understand something for what it is truly is you need to get a different perspective on it, which is what Huck did with Jim to find out the real meaning to slavery and to respect. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic story where readers learn about the true meaning of friendship and slavery just by a white man and a black man sailing down a river to find freedom.