Dissussion Questions - Essay Example

Discussion Questions Discussion Questions Question DNR orders only work when CPR is needed. This does not apply to other situations that a terminally ill patient may need assistance. Medical practitioners are advised by DNR orders not to perform CPR (Schwab, Hootman & Gelfman, 2005). However, there are circumstances under which this order can be revoked. Mrs. Smith was in her proper state of mind when she signed the DNR order. It is not the nurse’s place to revoke terms of the DNR order. This is after the nurse found the patient having breathing complications.

In her state of panic, Mrs. Smith may be afraid of death but her input is still crucial at this stage. Mrs. Smith, by simply stating that she does not want to die may have revoked her DNR order. Her daughter may be the person in charge of the patient’s treatment and CPR decisions. If she is, then it is her right to determine what needs to be done in such a situation. The potential area of liability for the nurse is if she goes against the DNR order in place. Only a senior doctor, and no other person, can determine the right to CPR on the patient.

This is keeping in mind that CPR only works to revive a patient temporarily, but may not determine the patient’s condition afterwards. The facility may face a lawsuit from the custodian, and that is the daughter, if they do not honor the conditions of the DNR order. Nobody may be in apposition to sue the nurse if she follows the DNR order. However, if the nurse decides to perform CPR, she may be doing so on her own accord and her actions may not reflect the actions of the facility. An individual can revoke a DNR by simply making their wishes known to doctors and nurses (Westrick & Dempski, 2008).

DNR orders are ethically appropriate and are recognized in many quarters, for example religious and legal quarters.Question 2 When a patient wants to leave a health care facility against medical advice, they might be exposing themselves to more problems. They run the risk of receiving inadequate medical treatment. This may ultimately lead to readmission in the health facility one left. There is an ethical issue that surrounds medical practitioners when it comes to leaving against medical advice.

Doctors are torn between respecting the patient’s wishes, and acting with consideration to what is best for the patient (Pozgar, 2013). Some issues must be discussed before the patient leaves. This is done usually to avoid any potential lawsuits in the future. One of the issues that need addressing may be forms filled by patients who leave AMA. Under difficult circumstances, the health care facility should try and provide the best care (Kjervik & Brous, 2010). This is if the patient desires to leave.

Proper and adequate information should be given to the party to avoid lawsuits due to negligence. On the purpose of documentation, medical facilities should have documented proof of the wishes against the patient’s desire to leave. If this is documented, then it may be possible to prove contributory negligence. This may be on the part of the patient because he/she might have been warned of the consequences of leaving without medication. Medical practitioners have done their part of trying to explain the patient’s condition and detain them, but they cannot do this with disregard to the patient’s autonomy.

The facility may be liable for a lawsuit if they did this. ReferencesKjervik, D. K., & Brous, A. E. (2010). Law and ethics for advanced practice nursing. London: Sage Publishers.Pozgar, G. D. (2013). Legal and ethical issues for health professionals. New York: Hart Publishing.Schwab, N. C., Hootman, J., & Gelfman, H. B. (2005). Legal issues in school health services: A resource for school administrators, school attorneys, and school nurses. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Westrick, S., & Dempski, K. (2008). Essentials of nursing law and ethics.

New York: Macmillan Publishers.