Purpose
          The purpose of the assignment is to provide the student with an opportunity to analyze an ethical issue in nursing. The student will analyze an ethical dilemma, make a decision, and support the decision with literature to include the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses

 

Student Approach
          I chose to explore the ethical issues surrounding the use of opioid therapy due to its emergence as an epidemic in recent years. Throughout my clinical experiences in nursing school, I have encountered a number of healthcare professionals who have refused to believe their patient’s pain and therefore withheld pain medications from them, including opioids. Through this assignment, I learned that healthcare professionals’ can have varying points of view that provide reasons for their actions, and that these points of view are neither correct nor incorrect as long as they are in the patient's best interests.
    
Reason for Inclusion 
          This assignment is included in my portfolio to showcase my abilities to analyze ethical dilemmas from multiple perspectives and resolve them according to moral principles, professional duties, and the ANA Code of Ethics. The following objective was met through this assignment:

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• Professionalism

  • ​Applies an ethical decision-making framework and legal guidelines to clinical situations that incorporate moral concepts, professional ethics, and advocacy for patient well-being and preferences.

    • Example: In this paper, I utilize an ethical decision-making framework to explore the issues that surround the administration and withholding of opioid therapy. Legal guidelines were that the doctor has the authority to prescribe or withhold opioid therapy and the patient has rights pertaining to the management of their pain. The moral concept of autonomy was included to discuss the patient’s right to make informed decisions about their lives and bodies without coercion. The moral concepts of nonmaleficence and beneficence pertained to the healthcare team’s duty to promote good and not inflict harm. The ANA Code of Ethics was included to relay the nurse’s duty to advocate and protect the rights, health and safety of the patient. In accordance with the ANA Code of Ethics, I further discuss the nurse’s responsibility to advocate for the patient’s pain and needs.

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• Culture

  • ​Considers the impact of research outcomes and the effects of health and social policies on persons from diverse backgrounds.

    • ​Example: The background of the person in focus is that they are a female pediatric patient who was diagnosed with leukemia. The research included in the paper relayed that the use of opioid therapy was able to reduce pain effectively in the short term. However, the research also found that 8-12% of patients who were prescribed opioids develop opioid use disorder. Health policies grant the patient the right to have their pain managed appropriately and call for health care professionals to alleviate pain and suffering experienced by their patients.