After the client with the narcotic overdose receives Narcan, sheis more awake but is now vomiting. The doctor orderedgastrointestinal intubation. The nurse asks the student to
place the tube to which she replies, “I have never done thatprocedure, I’ve just read about it.” The nurse assures her that shewill guide her through the procedure. The client refuses the tubebut after reassurance from the nurse she reluctantly accepts. Afterseveral tries by the student, because the client is forcefullygagging, the tube is in place and the staff nurse verifiesplacement. The client states she cannot breathe and requests forthe tube to be taken out. The nurse assures the client it is acommon feeling to have after an (nasogastric tube) NGT is placed.Twenty minutes later the patient is exhibiting respiratory distressand Xrays show that the tube is lodged in the right bronchus. Thissubsequently resulted in a collapsed lung requiring a chest tube.The client continued to have respiratory compromise which resultedin her being mechanically ventilated in the intensive care unit.She recovers from this event and is transferred to a privatepsychiatric clinic for follow up.
Six months later, the hospital, the staff as well as the nursingstudent are named in a malpractice suit by this client. She issuing for damages related to false imprisonment, enforcedhospitalization, and the nasogastric procedure with subsequent needfor a chest tube that resulted in an insertion scar. The client isa swimsuit model and states that the entire situation hasnegatively affected her employment opportunities.
Define the four elements necessary to prove a malpractice caseand the aspects of this situation that indicate a “preponderance ofevidence.”
Utilize a table to provide evidence from the scenario to supporteach of the four elements.
