Ethics in Nursing
Scotty Story is a 69 years old. Scotty is currentlysuffering from end-stage kidney failure. Scotty has been living athome with his wife of 36 years. He has been receiving dialysis forthe past 2 years, three times a week. Scotty has obtained aninfection in his dialysis port, and his vitals are steadilydecreasing. His family is at his bedside around the clock.
1 What if… You are struggling with letting Scottypass? You want the physician to do whatever is possible to helpScotty survive. How can you look past this and accept Scotty’swishes?
2 What if… The physician you are dealing with givesyou an order to give 1 mg of morphine every 15 minutes for pain?While assessing your patient, you count Scotty’s respirations; thecount is only 5. Morphine should be held for respirations less than12. The physician states to give the morphine, regardless of therespirations. What should you do to protect yourself and thepatient?
3 What if… Scotty’s family decides, at the last minute, to bringScotty back, against his wishes? What can you do to helpScotty?
