ETHICAL AND LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF PRESCRIBING DRUGS
CASE STUDY SCENARIO:
MR AC IS A 72-YEAR-OLD MALE WHO IS ADMITTED TO YOUR EMERGENCY UNIT AFTER SUFFERING A MASSIVE STROKE THAT LEFT HIM UNRESPONSIVE AND UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE. HIS WIFE OF 48 YEARS IS AVAILABLE ALONG WITH THEIR ONE ADULT DAUGHTER. THE WIFE INFORMS YOU THAT THEY DON’T HAVE ANY ADVANCED DIRECTIVES, BUT SHE IS ” PRETTY SURE HER HUSBAND WOULD NOT WANT TO LIVE LIKE THIS”. HOWEVER, THEIR DAUGHTER IS ADAMANT HER DAD WOULD WANT TO BE KEPT ALIVE IN CASE THERE IS ANY CHANCE TO COME OF THIS.
TO PREPARE:
(a) Review the Resources and consider the legal and ethical implications of prescribing prescription drugs, disclosure, and nondisclosure.
(b) Review the Scenario assigned
(c) Search specific laws and standards for prescribing prescription drugs and for addressing medication errors for your state or region, and reflect on these as you review the scenario assigned.
(d) Consider the ethical and legal implications of the scenario for all stakeholders involved, such as the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and patient’s family.
(e) Think about two Strategies that you would use to guide your ethically and legally responsible decision-making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose any medication errors.
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS ARE: Write A 2- TO 3- Page Paper That Addresses the Following:
(1) EXPLAIN the ethical and legal implications of the scenario you selected on all stakeholders involved, such as the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and patient’s family.
(2) Describe strategies to address the disclosures and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario you selected. Be sure to reference laws specific to your state.
(3) Explain two strategies that you would use as a nurse to guide your decision-making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose your error. Be sure to justify your explanation.
(4) Explain the process of writing prescriptions, including strategies to minimize medical errors.
