Paper details:
Scenario:
Peter, a 35-year-old, was brought via ambulance to the emergency department after collapsing on the street.
He was diagnosed with appendicitis and the surgical team was alerted to the potential surgery. The physician
prepared to obtain informed consent and began discussing the simple effective surgery and the treatment
with the patient. The RN was present at the bedside. The patient stated he did not want surgery. Based upon
his beliefs as a Christian Scientist, it is against his practices. He requested a Christian Science practitioner. The
patient rated his pain as 9 on 0-10 verbal pain scale so the RN prepared the narcotic analgesic to relieve the
patient’s pain. The patient declined the medication. The RN believes the patient should accept the pain
medication and have the surgery thinking “If it were me I would proceed with the surgery and treatments
proposed by the surgeon.” The surgeon can be heard speaking to a fellow surgeon about how to go about
changing the patient’s decision.
State and discuss the legal and ethical considerations occurring in this scenario. Include supporting citations.
How can RNs support the patient’s decision when the beliefs of the patient are contrary to their own?
Identify one (1) additional major religion, in which the same circumstances might also require the RN to
advocate for the patient’s refusal of surgery. Describe the beliefs behind why the identified religion could
pose a moral conflict for a similar patient.
Criteria: Post is relevant and thoroughly responds to all aspects of discussion topic, reflecting a deep
understanding of key ideas and concepts.
Post further extends the discussion in a rich, relevant manner
