Scenario:
A Nurse Provides prescription medicine without authority
A Nurses Board received a complaint concerning allegations that an Enrolled Nurse, whilst working in the emergency department of a hospital, practiced outside the scope of practice, by knowingly providing prescription only medication to a patient without the authority of a medical officer.
When interviewed, the nurse stated "the patient attended the emergency department for treatment and the department was busy at this particular time and the patient knowing this stated that they were not prepared to wait for treatment." The nurse made enquires of the patient's allergies and responses to medication and then consulted a doctor, verbally. The nurse then obtained a packet of antibiotics and provided them to the patient. The nurse also made false entries in the medical record of the patient.
(Adapted from Nexus, NBV, November 2008, Volume 16 Issue 2)
Q1. Identify one (1) way in which the nurse failed to use critical thinking and analysis effectively in this situation. In your response, consider the Codes of Professional Practice, Ethics and Conduct for Nurses. (100 - 200words)
Q2. Referring to the scenario and upon reflection of the Nursing Code of Ethics, identify whether the nurse acted within their Scope of Practice or not.
Q3. Identify two (2) ways in which the nurse failed to apply contemporary nursing practice. Take into account the professional standards of nursing practice.
Q4. Identify - and explain briefly - three (3) significant conduct statements from the Code of Professional Conduct for nurses that were breached, in this situation.
Refer to http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Codes-Guidelines.aspx
Q5. Identify - and explain briefly - three (3) significant value statements from the Code of Ethics for nurses that were breached - not followed in this situation.
Refer to http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Codes-Guidelines.aspx
Q6. Identify the relevant Act which nurses must adhere to, as referred to in the legislation section of the Australian Health Practitioner's Regulation Authority (AHPRA) website. (Include the year quoted).
Q7. Identify one (1) key professional or legal standards that were contravened.
Q8. Identify - and briefly explain - three (3) types of professional review and development, for this nurse to undertake, to prevent future incidents and why.
Q9. Identify and evaluate two (2) professional issues that reflect the seriousness of this situation.
Q10. Identify three (3) benefits of reflective practice, for you as a nursing student.
Q11. In your own words, briefly describe how you would share the benefits of this critical thinking case scenario for yourself and how it assisted you in your learning. (No reference needed).