Outline the concept of professional accountability as it pertains to nursing. Examine the actions of Nurse Jim and Nurse Lope.
Read the scenario and address the discussion question:
Scenario
Nurse Lope is starting a busy shift in which she was finishing report on Mr. Johnson. During report, Nurse Jim who was finishing his shift also gave Nurse Lope a medicine cup containing three of Mr. Johnson’s unopened medications that he reported were recently retrieved from the medication dispenser. Nurse Lope was told that these were supposed to have been given 30 minutes ago and asked if she could give them during bedside hand-off. As Nurse Lope planned to stay in Mr. Johnson’s room to complete his vital signs and assessment, she agreed with this plan.
When she opened Mr. Johnson’s electronic medical record to administer these medications, she noticed that these medications were scheduled to be given 3 hours ago. Additionally, one of the medications had a barcode that was not scanning to Mr. Johnson’s chart. Nurse Lope proceeded to administer these medications so that she would not be late on the next round of medications, which included some of the same ones. It was later discovered that the medication that was not scanning was for another patient and should not have been given to Mr. Johnson.
Discussion Question
Outline the concept of professional accountability as it pertains to nursing. Examine the actions of Nurse Jim and Nurse Lope. Discuss how you would approach this scenario if you were in Jim’s and Lope’s position. Based on your analysis of how nurses demonstrate accountability in clinical practice, the nursing process, and evidence-based practice, explain how you would handle this situation if you were the nurse manager overseeing Jim and Lope.
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN Discussion Question Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 2.2, 2.5, 2.6, 9.4.
Verified Answer
The concept of professional accountability in nursing encompasses the responsibility to adhere to ethical standards, regulatory requirements, and professional obligations while providing safe and effective care to patients. Nurses are accountable for their actions, decisions, and the outcomes of patient care, and they must uphold the highest standards of practice to ensure patient safety and well-being (Schick-Makaroff & Storch, 2019). In the scenario described, Nurse Jim’s actions raise concerns regarding medication administration and communication practices.
Providing unopened medications to Nurse Lope without verifying the accuracy of the medication orders or ensuring proper documentation compromises patient safety and violates professional accountability principles. Nurse Lope’s decision to administer the medications without verifying their accuracy or confirming their appropriateness further exacerbates the situation.
If I were in Nurse Jim’s position, I would prioritize patient safety by thoroughly verifying the accuracy of the medication orders, including checking the medication administration record (MAR) and confirming the patient’s identity. Additionally, I would communicate any discrepancies or concerns to the nurse receiving report and seek guidance from the charge nurse or pharmacist if necessary.
As Nurse Lope, I would refrain from administering medications until their accuracy and appropriateness are verified through proper channels, including consulting with the pharmacist or contacting the prescriber for clarification (Flaubert et al., 2021). As the nurse manager overseeing Jim and Lope, I would address this situation through a comprehensive approach focused on education, accountability, and process improvement.
References
Flaubert, J. L., Le, M. S., Williams, D. R., & Wakefield, M. K. (Eds.). (2021). The future of nursing 2020-2030: Charting a path to achieve health equity. National Academies Press.
Schick-Makaroff, K., & Storch, J. L. (2019). Guidance for Ethical Leadership in Nursing Codes of Ethics: An Integrative Review. Nursing Leadership (1910-622X), 32(1), 60–73. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.12927/cjnl.2019.25848
Alternative Answer
Nursing is a huge responsibility, and our decisions daily put people’s lives in our hands. In 2001, the American Nurse Association Code of Ethics for Nurses underwent a four-year process to create. It consists of 9 provisions that serve as a framework for ethical nursing practice and guide nurses in their decision-making, Patient advocacy, integrity, accountability, and lifelong learning (Fowler, American Nurse Association, 2015). They also fulfill their roles and responsibilities in providing patient care. Ultimately, it reinforces patients’ trust in nurses to promote safe, compassionate, and adequate healthcare practice.
In the case of the medication error, both nurses, Lope and Jim, fell short of their professional accountability and the code of ethics. Jim, having pulled out the medication, should have administered it. If either of them had followed the correct six medication rights, they would have detected the error. If I were in Nurse Lope’s shoes, I would have proactively addressed the situation, clarifying the reasons for the delay and the urgency of the medication. I would have referred to hospital policies on late medication and medication errors and promptly reported the incident to my charge nurse.
If I were the manager overseeing this situation, my immediate priority would be to address the issue, particularly the incorrect medication given, to ensure there is no potential harm to the patient. Patient safety would be my utmost concern, and I would take all necessary steps to rectify the situation and prevent such errors in the future. I would follow hospital policy and procedures for medication errors. I would follow up and continue to monitor the patient. I also check on my colleagues involved in the error to ensure they are coping with the situation and providing support. More debriefing with nurses is needed when we have situations that happen so we can improve systemic issues or gaps.
References:
Fowler, M. D. M., & American Nurses Association. (2015). Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements: Development, Interpretation, and Application: Vol. Second edition. American Nurses Association.
Schick-Makaroff, K., & Storch, J. L. (2019). Guidance for Ethical Leadership in Nursing Codes of Ethics: An Integrative Review. Nursing Leadership (1910-622X), 32(1), 60–73. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.12927/cjnl.2019.25848
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