HLTENN008 Apply Legal And Ethical Parameters To Nursing Practice - Case Study

A1. 

1. Historically, the ideals of beneficence and non-maleficence derive from the relationship between doctor and patient, which was based for decades on paternalism. Over recent decades, the doctor-patient relationship has changed and the patients ' independence has been enhanced by taking an active role over decision-making. This leads to a more effective response by clinicians (Mallia, 2003). Beneficence involves weighing the treatment's effects against the risks and costs involved, while non-maleficence means avoiding injury. Because many procedures require a degree of harm, the non-maleficence rule would mean that the pain is not unreasonable for medical purposes. In certain cases, upholding the values of charity and non- maleficence may mean failing to uphold the freedom of an individual.
2. One ethical issue which can be deemed from a perspective of beneficence is to balance the treatment in seeking out the best option for the patient which minimizes the risk and maximizes the output. For Debbie the looming risk of freezing eggs which can include pregnancy complication. While she is currently pregnant and seeking an abortion, she needs to understand that egg freezing will not guarantee a baby in the future. Debbie should be informed on all the possible options and narratives before seeking the egg freezing treatment. 
3. The ethical issue related from a perspective of non-maleficence raised from this scenario is to refuse to acknowledge the decision of Debbie of aborting the child and freezing the eggs due to its potential harm in the future, this ethical dilemma and acting out to save Debbie from harm is an example of Non-maleficence. 

A2.

The discipline of bioethics discusses the legal consequences and applications of biological research in general to medicine. Bioethics involves the study of right and wrong causes, such as genetic engineering and organ donation, in new discoveries and techniques in biology. The moral ramifications and applications of health-related life sciences are commonly understood as bioethics. 

A3.
The four core concepts which are essential to professional nursing practice. They are respect for patient autonomy; the duty to act with beneficence; no maleficence; and justice. An ethical dilemma is that between two possible moral imperatives, one of which is clearly unacceptable or desirable, there is a decision-making issue. The dilemma where aborting the child and freezing the eggs is an important decision for Debbie, the risk and complications associated with those decisions is also at a standpoint. The decision for freezing eggs and not getting pregnant in the future and if there is a possibility of pregnancy it can come with complications, whereas, not aborting a child at this given moment can lead to parenting issues, stress issues, and can potentially stop the career growth of Debbie. 

A4.

Nurses are obliged to protect and support life ethically and morally. Current dilemmas lie in nurses ' rights and duties to abortion and patients ' rights to abortion. In the sense of law and within the ethical framework provided for in the ICN Code of Ethics for nurses, the role and duty of the nurse and patients are upheld. Nurses are friendly when suggested clinically with respect to abortion. Nurses should, however, honour the mother's decisions, as long as the law regulating abortion is lawful. Nurses should provide information on alternative treatments and respect the right of the patient to exempt imposition and the right to the utmost attention in an environment that provides confidentiality, culture and special nursing expertise. In the event that abortion conflicts a nurse moral, ethical, and religious qualities, the nurse has the right, except in emergencies where the patient's needs cannot replace them and should not, on grounds of this refusal, be subjected to coercion, censorship, or discipline, to participate involuntary termination. Framework for assessing standards for practice for registered nurses enrolled nurses and midwives by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia will assist in understanding the flow towards the decision making in this ethical dilemma. For Debbie to receive the right care the case principle 2 is to be referred as nurses are accountable for making professional judgments about when an activity is beyond their own capacity or scope of practice and for initiating consultation with, or referral to, other members of the health care team (Nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au, 2019a).