NRS437v Full Course 2016 – all Discussions and Assignments

Week 1

 

Discussion 1

Max Points: 5.0

Many situations can raise ethical concerns, particularly in
the face of disagreement and conflict between parties. However, not all
situations of an ethical nature result in values conflict or constitute an
ethical dilemma. Explain the characteristics of an ethical dilemma. How do they
differ from other situations resulting in disagreement between conflicting
preferences, needs, or expectations

 

Discussion 2

 

Consider the age-old tale of the father who stole a loaf of
bread to feed his hungry family. Stealing is deemed wrong by our society and is
punishable by law. Failing to provide for one’s family is neglectful and
fundamentally wrong. What would be the dilemma and the implications of such a
crime on the individual, the family, the community, and society?

 

 

Week 2

 

Discussion 1

How do personal values, morals, and ethics influence
decision making? (Consider your upbringing, your family structure, your
socioeconomic status, your community, and your own personal experiences). How
do these factors influence your decisions? How might they conflict with the
needs, preferences, and biases of your patients and their families? Which
ethical theoretical framework best describes your personal worldview? Support
your response with examples.

 

Discussion 2

Read the assigned article, “Dealing With Futile
Treatment: A Medical Student’s Perspective.” How does the author describe
futile treatment? What ethical dilemmas are faced by health care providers who
must address human suffering? How can ethical principles be used to identify
the most appropriate decision when conflict arises?

 

 

 

Week 3

Discussion 1

 

Uustal (1993) proposed a decision-making model that provides
concrete steps in which to arrive at a morally acceptable solution when faced
with an ethical dilemma. What type of an ethical dilemma have you encountered
in the clinical setting? How can the decision-making model identified by Uustal
be applied to this situation? Be specific when describing each of the nine
steps.

 

Discussion 2

 

How do a nurse’s fundamental duties, as described by the
Hippocratic Oath and Nightingale Pledge, influence a nurse’s practice and
decision making?

 

 

Week 4

 

Discussion 1

 

Does the principle of autonomy guarantee a person the right
to do something that is harmful to oneself? To others? Explain your response
with ethical rationale.

 

Discussion 2

What is the difference between beneficence and
nonmaleficence? Give examples of each from your clinical practice.

 

 

 

Week 5

 

Discussion 1

 

 

Max Points: 5.0

Read the case study below and answer questions 1-6.

Ethics Case Study: To Rescue Others at What Risk?

ACME Medical Center has been damaged seriously by a recent
hurricane. A helicopter that is trying to rescue people stranded by the
hurricane has crashed, hitting the wing of the building where the pediatric
unit was located. In the midst of the explosion, fire, and confusion, five
people make their way to the roof and wait for rescue. They are Mary, a mother
carrying her ill infant who was a patient on the unit; Joseph, her husband and
the baby’s father; John, a pediatric resident who had been caring for the baby;
Margaret, the RN who was on duty in the pediatric unit; and Peter, a transport
employee who was helping to prepare patients for rescue and evacuation.

Mary says to the group, “I think I hear someone crying.
Yes, I can hear cries for help. We’ve got to go back down the stairs and help
those people!” Dr. John says, “You women stay here. Joseph and I will
go back down and see what we can do.” Joseph looks first at his own ill
infant and then down the smoke-filled stairs and replies, “I’m not going
back down. It’s too risky. The smoke is too thick. We’d never make it through
and survive.” Margaret, the RN, says, “We’ve got to do something. We
can’t just let people die. I’d never be able to live with myself. Those are my
patients and I need to help them.” Margaret runs down the stairs and
disappears. Peter says, “You’re all crazy! In a situation like this it’s
every man for himself!”

Questions:

1. What
   is the ethical dilemma?
2. What
   is yourvalue and ethical position related to the case? Include
   discussion of theory and principles on which your position is based.
3. What
   are some other alternatives for resolving the problem?
4. What
   are the possible consequences for those acceptable alternatives?
5. How
   would you prioritize the acceptable alternatives?
6. What
   is your plan of action?

Discussion 2

Health care providers are obligated to provide for those
entrusted in their care. To what extent do they meet this obligation? How might
their obligation to others conflict with their obligation to themselves?

 

 

Assignments

 

Week1

 

Details:

After reading the Topic 1 materials, complete the
questionnaire titled, “My Nursing Ethic.”

Using the reading and the questionnaire, write a paper of
750-1,000 words in which you describe your professional moral compass. As you
write your paper, include the following:

1. What
   personal, cultural, and spiritual values contribute to your worldview and
   philosophy of nursing? How do these values shape or influence your nursing
   practice?
2. Define
   values, morals, and ethics in the context of your obligation to nursing
   practice. Explain how your personal values, philosophy, and worldview may
   conflict with your obligation to practice, creating an ethical dilemma.
3. Reflect
   and share your own personal thoughts regarding the morals and ethical
   dilemmas you may face in the health care field. How do your personal views
   affect your behavior and your decision making?

Do not be concerned with the use of ethical terminology for
this paper.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines
found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An
abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric
prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for
successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin.
Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

Week 3

Details:

Using the steps outlined in the decision-making models in
your readings, select one ethical decision-making model and use the model to
analyze the case provided.

Case Scenario:

A 6-year-old develops a high fever accompanied by violent
vomiting and convulsions while at school. The child is rushed to a nearby
hospital. The attending physician makes a diagnosis of meningitis and requests
permission to initiate treatment from the parents. The child’s parents are
divorced. The mother, who is not the biological parent of the child, has
primary custody. She is a Christian Scientist who insists that no medical
treatment be offered for religious reasons. The biological father, who resides
in another state, is also contacted. He insists that treatment be given and
seeks independent consultation from another physician.

Assignment:

In a formal, written paper of 800-1,200 words, answer the
following questions:

1. What
   is the ethical dilemma here?
2. Describe
   the decision-making model you selected from your readings.
3. How
   would you resolve this dilemma using the model?
4. Include,
   at the end of your paper, a 200-word dialog in which you explain your
   decision to the family. (Remember to use language that the family would
   understand).

A minimum of three references must be used.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines
found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An
abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric
prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for
successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin.
Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word
documents can be submitted to Turnitin.

 

 

 

Week 4

 

Details:

This is a CLC assignment.

The CLC group selection process will be outlined by the
instructor.

Refer to the “Collaborative Learning Community:
Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma” resource for the dilemmas and resources
that will be used for this multi-part assignment. In your CLC group, select a
scenario from those listed in the assignment resource.

As a group, write a formal paper of 750-1,000 words
identifying important components of the topic. Include the following:

1. A
   description of the topic and related ethical implications: (a) obligations
   to your profession and work as a nurse, (b) laws regarding this topic, and
   (c) stakeholders in this scenario.
2. A
   summary of the impact on social values, morals, norms, and nursing
   practice.
3. An
   explanation of how an ethical theory and/or ethical principle might be
   applied to address the chosen topic.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines
found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An
abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric
prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for
successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin.
Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.