Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice Assessment Task: LEARNING JOURNAL

Journal Activity 1: Introduction to the law

1. How would you define 'the law'?

2. Why is it important to have an understanding of the law and its impact on nursing practices?

Journal Activity 2: Current legal issues related to health

Define and give an example of each of the following current issues in health care

• Duty of care
• Negligence
• Advocacy
• Defamation

Journal Activity 3: Confidentiality

Use the information from the Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses to complete the following statement. Include at least three points.

As an enrolled nurse I can protect client information and ensure confidentiality is maintained by?

Journal Activity 4: Advance care directive

In your own words outline why advance care planning is important and what is the relevance for the enrolled nurse.

Journal Activity 5: Advance care directive viewpoints

Discuss the different views that were raised in the video regarding the care that was being delivered to Mrs Harris.

Journal Activity 6: Acts

Read each case study and identify which Act the scenario relate to, and state what the implications may be and what actions need to be taken.

Case study 1

A client complains of severe pain and asks the nurse for a different drug to that which has been prescribed by the doctor

Identify which Act this case study relates to and its implication for the nurse's actions.

Case study 2

During a hospital accreditation survey, the surveyor discovered that one registered nurse and one enrolled nurse in the facility did not have current NSW Nurses and Midwives Board Authority to Practise.

Identify which Act the above case study relates to and consider the implications for the nurse and the employer.

Case study 3

A nurse attempts to move a heavy client up the bed without using available lifting equipment. Identify which Act the case study relates to and the possible implications of the nurse's actions.

Case Study 4

A client on your ward has died sixteen hours following an emergency appendectomy under general anaesthetic.

Access: NSW Legislation website and select "Browse" to find the Coroners Act (2009)

Refer to the Coroners Act Division 1 "General jurisdiction to hold inquests "and find which circumstance the above case study relates to. State in full the circumstances that apply to this scenario.

Journal Activity 7: Code of ethics

Give an example of how you may apply each of the value statements in the Australian Code of Ethics for Nurses to your practice as an enrolled nurse.

1. Nurse's value quality nursing care for all people.

2. Nurses value respect and kindness for self and others.

3. Nurses value the diversity of people.

4. Nurses value access to quality nursing and health care for all people.

5. Nurse's value informed decision making.

6. Nurses value a culture of safety in nursing and health care.

7. Nurses value ethical management of information.

Journal Activity 8: Contemporary moral / ethical issues

For each of the following describe the issue, and how or why it may cause a moral or ethical dilemma for some staff.

1. Abortion (termination of pregnancy)

2. Organ donation

3. Euthanasia/assisted suicide

4. Stem cell research

Journal Activity 9: Boundary Issues

In the example given do you consider that Katrina acted appropriately and why, refer to 'Professional Code of Conduct "in your answer.

Journal Activity 10: Open disclosure

View the NSW Health Open Disclosure Guidelines

Briefly describe the key features of these guidelines.

Journal Activity 11: Reporting and recording

Using the following information, make an appropriate entry that could appear in the progress notes.

Mrs Samantha Wells 78 Old Rd

Lake view 2002

MRN 123123

DOB 24th March 1945

Doctor Mosley

It is Saturday 12th December 2016 at 1030. You have just showered Mrs Wells. She had red marks on her left ankle and needed you to help with most of the shower and dressing. You told the RN about the marks. Mrs Wells is not helpful refusing to sit in the chair after the shower and insisting she needed to go back to bed. You help her back into bed. You return in 40 minutes and Mrs Wells is happy to sit out of bed for lunch- so you help her into the chair.

2. View the video of a change of shift report in the online resource. Make notes on the clients discussed.

Journal Activity 12: Case Study

Based on the case study video in the online resource, answer the following questions.

Do you think it is important for the nurse to have the opportunity to discuss / debate moral and ethical issues related to client care and why?

If you were concerned about the care being given to, or withheld from your client, where would you go for advice or guidance?

Attachment:- Assignment File.rar