Ethical Dilema Essay

In this paper, I go away discuss the estimable dilemma faced by a bear who is caring for an eight month old patient of, who radicals with his mother to the want get on with a suspicious fr characterizationure. The mother provides a plausible story, and the physician knows the family and does non suspect squall. I will discuss the action I would canvas in order to provide the appropriate care for this patient. As a registered professional hold dear, I feel the only approach to the case is to report card the stain to Department of Family and Childs Services (DFACS) for their investigation. When a report is made, DFACS will complete an investigation and make the ultimate decision if ill-treatment or neglect was the cause of the injury. Each bind has a handicraft to report all suspicious injuries to DFACS, regardless of her feelings on roast or neglect. This is true even when the physician knows the family or does non suspect detestation.The nurse is responsible for her own actions. In order to provide the best fictitious character of care for this patient, I would take the statement from the parent about how the patient was injured, and then talk to the physician to gather the physical finding, which may acknowledge x-ray reports after this information is ga in that locationd, I would report the case to the local anaesthetic DFACS. Anytime on that point is a suspicious injury regardless of the plausibility of the story, or if the physician knows the patient and does not suspect the parent, the DFACS case must be reported. The nurse in this situation has a duty to report this injury and let barbarian services decide if the patient is in danger. I would perform a complete examination of the patient and communicate with the physician, in addition to noting some(prenominal) other signs of ill-treatment, along with paying close vigilance for indicators of abuse. Indicators of abuse can warn healthcare providers to pay closer watchfulness to situations that may indicate abuse or neglect and sometimes there are not indicators even though the child may be abused (Henderson, 2013).Three indicators of abuse or maltreatment include physical, child behavioral and parent behavioral indicators (Henderson, 2013). These indicators should not be considered in closing off but should be considered along with the childs condition in the context with overall physical appearance and behavior however, it is conceivable that a single indicator may be consistent with abuse or neglect (Henderson, 2013). Considerations of abuse are raised by injuries to both sides of the ashes and/or to soft tissues, injuries with a specific pattern or injuries that do not fit the explanation, delays inpresentation for care, and/or untreated injuries in multiple stages of healing (Henderson, 2013). It would be helpful to check the patients record for previous unexplained injuries or history of frequent visits to the emergency room or physicians office. Any burns or patterns of bruising during the examination would warrant further investigation.Other signs of physical abuse I would monitor for include signs of pain where there is not indubitable injury and lack of reaction to pain. I would also note any emotional signs of physical abuse, which include passive, withdrawn or emotionless behavior, and business when seeing parents. Any symptoms noted on exam should include this in the report to DFACS. Since the physical signs of abuse are often visible, most cases of abuse are recognized by a healthcare provider (Padera, 2009). These signs may be noted at routine appointments or while providing smashing care. The ethical convention of non-maleficence and beneficence are addressed with this case. The ethical principle of non-maleficence helps to tell that healthcare providers do not harm to their patients. If I did not report this case to DFACS for investigation and the abuse continued causing any harm to the patient, this would be an ethical violation of non-maleficence on the part of the nurse.The ethical principle of beneficence ensures that health care providers actions pull ahead the patient. By choosing to report this case to DFACS, my actions would benefit the patient and help ensure that the patient was no longer being abused. As a nurse, if I did not report this to DFACS for investigation, I would be in violation of the nurse practice act, and I could be held liable if the patient suffer more(prenominal) injuries or death at the hand of an abuser. My report of child abuse or neglect is confidential and immune from civil or immoral liability as long as the report is made in good faith and without malice (https//www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/childabuse.shtml). Provided these two conditions are met, as a nurse, I am immune from liability if they are asked to participate in any judicial proceedings resulting from the report (https//www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/childabuse.shtml).In conclusion, mandatory rep orting can produce unanticipated and unwanted consequences (Buppert & Klein, 2008). Nurses may be touch about reporting suspected abuse especially, when the investigation is completed, no abuse or risk to the patient is found (Buppert & Klein, 2008). Boards of Nursing rarely retard nurses for failure to report and nurses are covered with their nurse practice act when they make reports in good faith (Buppert & Klein, 2008). Given this information there is no reason not to report this mother to DFACS for investigation.ReferencesBuppert, C. & Klein, T. (2008). Dilemmas in requisite Reporting for Nurses. Medscape. P. 4- 16.Henderson, K. L. (2013). Mandated reporting of child abuse Considerations and guidelines for mental health counselors. journal of Mental Health Counseling, 35(4), 296-309. Padera, Connie. (2009). Nursing, Child Abuse, and the Law. 7(37). P. 122-126. When you suspect child abuse or neglect A general guide. Retrieved from https//www.oag. state.tx.us/victims/childabuse .shtml