Question

Describe one situation you have encountered where your actions were guided by the Nursing Code of Ethics. If you have never encountered such a situation, imagine a possible situation you could face in the future as nurses.

Answer 1

Nursing code of ethics is a step towards delivering professional quality care . Nursing always focuses on ''Prevention of illness & Promotion of health''. Nursing code of ethics provide safety to nurses and patients.

Nurses should be bold enough to face any situation and also follow their ethics.

I was working in a hospital as shift supervisor in female medical ward. Two patients were receiving blood transfusions and one elderly patient who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer with DNR(do-not resuscitate)order was kept in close observation room. We had a junior resident who was monitoring the three patients along with nurses.

The patient receiving blood transfusions were also closely monitored. When we took vital signs for a patient , she was having fever 38 degree celsius. Immediately we stopped the transfusion and was looking for the junior physician , he was not available. Then being the supervisor , I made call to the senior physician to request him to take a look on the patient. He started shouting at me that , sister you please contact the junior physician . I clearly said him that being a senior physician and as the patient has encountered some reaction to the transfusion , you should come over to look over the patient .

The senior physician arrived in 10 minutes .He examined the patient ,then ordered to with-hold the transfusion and ordered medications.

Also I reported this type of rude behavior of the physician to the risk management system( quality control )which was equipped in our hospital for delivering safe and quality care. I reported about this to my nursing superintendent because if this behavior persists it may sometimes do harm to patient's due to his negligent behavior.

It is the duty of a nurse to be an advocate at any point to save patient rights. Any type of harm should be avoided to the patient. The activities of nurse should always deliver goodness (beneficence) to the patient.