Discussion: Advocating For Patients
When treating a patient with a suspicious injury or illness, what is the level of responsibility a nurse has in advocating for that patient? What if there is the possibility of substance abuse or domestic violence? How would these factors affect the patient's treatment? What are the ethical dilemmas apparent in dealing with patient's suffering from more than just illness? How would you handle the situation? Please answer the following:
- What are some ways in which nurses in your work setting could fulfill their legal and ethical responsibility to advocate for patients with suspicious injuries or illnesses?
- What are the major challenges to nurses meeting that responsibility, and what are some strategies that BSN nurses could use to help their colleagues overcome those challenges?
Post your responses to the Discussion based on the course requirements. Your initial postings must be 250-350 words (not including the full references). Keep your responses succinct. Your written assignments must follow APA guidelines. Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week's Learning Resources. Other scholarly sources may also be used to support your work. Refer to the APA Publication Manual to ensure that your in-text citations and reference list are correct.