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University of Central Florida Code of Conduct for Nursing Practice Discussion
This is a Case Study that should serve as a bit of a brain teaser for everyone. Based on your personal Code of Conduct, answer the associated questions.
The Curious Case of Mr. Tate
Mr. Tate, a 59-year-old patient with end-stage renal disease is well known to Jane Martin, RN the dialysis clinic manager and her nursing staff. Mr. Tate is hypertensive and overweight with a history of alcoholism. He often does not take his medications as ordered and almost never adheres to his prescribed diet. When Mr. Tate comes to the clinic he often has excessive edema and is hypertensive. He admits to eating his favorite foods: hot dogs and potato chips. It is also not unusual for the staff to smell alcohol on Mr. Tate’s breath. He even admits to drinking an occasional beer with his hot dogs and chips. Although Mr. Tate listens politely to their concerns about his lack of adherence to diet and medications, he continues to be non-adherent. Many of the nurses begin to wonder and discuss to what extent they are obligated as nurses to spend time on patient teaching when the patient takes no responsibility for his own health. They also question whether or not the benefit of expensive medications and treatments for Mr. Tate outweigh the cost.
Questions for Consideration and Discussion
- What are Jane’s professional responsibilities to Mr. Tate?
- Is there a limit to the amount of health care Mr. Tate should receive?
- If so, upon which ethical principle should this be based?
- If not, why not?
