Business & professional ethics - Assignment Example

Journal This was my first home visit and I was anxious, as I anticipated the work environment that is full of physical and emotional challenges. I was in a company of a registered nurse and encountered two patients. I visited two people in their respective homes, a woman, and a man. The woman was an African American and reported intense pain in her bones. A recent X-Ray had also revealed a bone fracture in her hips and she suspected a fracture around her chest. The woman also complained of body weakness and of frequent infections that were not common to her previously.

I recommended test on calcium level and a review of possible kidney related complications with the aim of investigating possibility of multiple myeloma. These turned positive and we diagnosed the patient with multiple myeloma. We then gave the patient 500 units of heparin as a treatment measure. The next patient had a gunshot wound and was diagnosed with paralyzed lower limbs, way from his waist. We checked PTI from his blood and changed his wound. Our interaction with the woman developed an ethical issue as she sought to know her future with the disease.

While she had the right to be informed and principle of autonomy requires response to a patient’s will, informing her of the terminal nature of the condition was an ethical dilemma because of possible adverse effects on her perception of life. We however asked for her time and counseled her on how to live with the disease before informing her of the terminal nature. Our approach was based on the need to ensure minimal harm and to help the patient attain an optimal quality of life, based on utilitarian ethics (Brooks & Dunn, 2009).

Reference Brooks, L. & Dunn, P. (2009). Business & professional ethics for directors, executives & accountants. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.