Informed Consent Case Study

Introduction In September 2017, a story spread over national news about an altercation between a nurse and a police officer. Several officers brought in a unconscious man (not under arrest) following a car accident. An officer demanded a blood draw of the patient from the nurse, when the nurse responded that she needed a warrant or patient consent. A warrant could not be provided and the nurse could not obtain consent since the patient was unconscious. The officer rough arrested the nurse in front of patients and peers, as she screamed her innocence (Owsinski, 2017). At the end of this, it must be asked, is it ethical to advocate for a patient if it means interfering with law enforcement? I stand with the nurse in her decision to advocate …show more content…
The nurse’s attitude was in support of patient privacy, and in disagreement of taking orders blindly from a police officer without warrant or consent. This attitude reveals that she rather abide by her moral beliefs than follow a norm. This led to the behavioral intention to advocate for the unconscious patient, even if this meant challenging subjective norms. This nurse reasoned her actions through these processes. The principles of informed consent and autonomy play a large role here. Informed consent states that a competent person has the right to accept or reject any medical therapy. This is a nurse’s duty to the patient in all circumstances. Since the patient was physically unable to receive informed consent, the nurse advocated that the procedure not proceed.
Opposing Position Justice can be defined as the fair and appropriate treatment of what is due to a person (Theories of justice, 2018). This principle is likely what guides the police officer’s actions in this situation. More specifically, these actions seem to be supported by libertarian theories of justice (Theories of justice, 2018). This theory is characterized with being concerned with fair procedures, and leaving healthcare in the marketplace (Theories of justice, …show more content…
Provision 1.4 in the ANA Code of Ethics states the “right to self-determinations”, which points to the right of the patient to have autonomy (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2018). Autonomy includes receiving accurate and adequate information, or informed consent. Provision 2.1, “primacy of the patient’s interests” can be found, which means the nurse’s primary responsibility is solely to the patient (ANA, 2018). The nurse in this scenario acted directly in line with the ethical expectations outlined in the ANA Code of

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