Navigating Ethical and Legal Dilemmas in End-of-Life Care: Upholding Patient Choice in Norman’s No Code Decision

Title page: paper title

• Authors name
• Affiliation (Department and name of the University)
• Course number and name
• Course facilitators name (example – Assistant Professor: Tasha Kassam)
• Due date

Table of Contents

Introduction

• Note the ethical concerns
• Supporting data/evidence related to your statement
• Background context
• Correctly note the ethical dilemma in your scenario (from a nurse’s standpoint)
• Note summary of what your essay will contain
• A clearly defined statement

Body of Paper

1. Short paragraph of your understanding of the scenario (optional to include with a max of 150 words)
2. Academic literature – An area of your paper that sets the tone/stance. This section is NOT a formal literature review. It is an area in your paper where you can consolidate and synthesize the scholarly/peer reviewed research that you have found. You may use as many peer-reviewed scholarly sources as needed.
3. Legislation / Legal Aspects to Consider / Applicable Acts
4. Ethical Considerations / Standards of Practice
5. Ethical Theories
6. Support for the decision
7. Support against the decision
8. Action Plan – You must CLEARLY state your standpoint. Note what you would do if you received this patient into your care with mitigation strategies. You may use “I” statements. Include all components that are relevant from the six lectures: Advocacy, Communication, Ethics I, II, II, and Legal I.

Conclusion

• Restate your standpoint
• Reiterate information to support your arguments
• Consolidate the main information in your paper

: Purpose: Ethical considerations are an important aspect of nursing care within a variety of contexts. The purpose of this academic paper is to examine an ethical dilemma in the context of medicine or mental health. Application of course theory and supportive literature will allow students to identify ethical and legal considerations. Students will use their knowledge to support a plan of action. Guidelines 1. Choose one (1) scenario to explore based on your clinical area. Students in mental health will choose one (1) of two (2) mental health scenarios and students in medicine will chose one (1) of two (2) medical based scenarios. 2. Integrate academic literature that pertains to the discussion. 3. Identify any legislation that influences the scenario 4. Discuss ethical theory and standards of nursing practice in relation to the scenario using course content and resources. 5. Identify a plan of action based on your discussion (care planning should also be encompassed). Format 1. Maximum 1500 words (excluding the title page, table of contents, reference page and appendix) 2. Format should follow the American Psychology Association (APA) 7th edition. 3. A student title page and table of contents should be used. 4. Refer to the following BSN Program Guide Resources: a. Section 2: Academic Guidelines & Policies 2.9 Standards for Written Assignments for further expectations. b. Appendix: Standards for Proficiency in Writing c. Appendix: Academic Paper d. Appendix: General Grading Guidelines for Papers 5. Refer to the Student Academic Misconduct Policy (70) regardScenario: You are working on an acute medical unit and are caring for Norman, an 87-year-old with end stage lung cancer. You have cared for Norman for the last few weeks and have developed a close therapeutic relationship. Norman has repeatedly voiced his desire to be a “No Code”. However, the family is insistent that Norman remains a “Full Code” as they believe that he may be depressed. The physician is reluctant to complete the “MOST” order form but also does not agree with the family that Norman is depressed. Every time the physician comes in to see Norman you ask about the code order; the physician always grumbles something about making it a “slow code” and then walks away. As your shift progresses, Norman’s condition swiftly begins to deteriorate, his death is imminent. His family are on and off at the bedside and are aware that his condition is dire. Your colleagues all think that they should just let him pass quietly. Your institution has a policy about not responding to unwitnessed arrests on adults. What ought you to do when he passes? Argue for both calling a code and not calling a code using a variety of theoretical perspectives.