Case Study- HSC final

Negligence

A failure to act with the level of care that a reasonably prudent healthcare professional would under similar circumstances

Duty of care

A legal obligation requiring healthcare professionals to provide care that meets accepted standards

Breach of duty

Failure to meet the established standard of care

Causation

A direct link between the breach of duty and the patient's injury

Damages

Actual harm or injury suffered by the patient

Duty of care in the case study

The nurse had a professional obligation to safely administer medications and review the patient's documented allergies

Breach of duty in the case study

Administering a penicillin-based antibiotic despite a documented penicillin allergy

Causation in the case study

The administration of penicillin directly caused the patient's anaphylactic reaction and cardiac complications

Damages in the case study

Anaphylaxis, cardiac complications, prolonged ICU stay, and additional medical treatment

Anaphylaxis

A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that can affect breathing, heart function, and blood pressure

Potential legal outcome - malpractice lawsuit

The patient may sue for professional negligence or medical malpractice

Potential legal outcome - disciplinary action

The nurse could face investigation or sanctions from a licensing board

Potential legal outcome - hospital liability

The hospital may be held liable under vicarious liability for employee actions

Ethical issue - patient safety

Failure to protect the patient from preventable harm

Ethical issue - professional responsibility

Healthcare providers have an ethical duty to follow safety protocols

Ethical issue - medication administration error

Giving a medication contraindicated due to allergy

Autonomy

Respecting a patient's right to make informed decisions about their care

Nonmaleficence

The ethical principle of 'do no harm'

Beneficence

Acting in the best interest of the patient

Justice

Fair and equal treatment of patients

Nonmaleficence in the case study

Administering penicillin violated the duty to avoid causing harm

Beneficence in the case study

Proper allergy verification would have promoted the patient's well-being

Autonomy in the case study

The patient's right to safe, informed care was compromised

Justice in the case study

The patient did not receive the standard level of care expected for all patients

Ethical nursing practice

Verifying allergies, following medication safety checks, and preventing harm

Safe medication administration

Reviewing the medical chart, confirming allergies, and following the 'five rights' of medication administration

Five rights of medication administration

Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time

Deontology

An ethical theory focused on duty, rules, and obligations regardless of outcomes

Deontology in the case study

The nurse had a duty to follow safety protocols and allergy documentation

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory focused on actions that produce the greatest good for the greatest number

Utilitarianism in the case study

Preventing harm by following medication safety procedures benefits patients and the healthcare system

Ethical decision-making

Using ethical principles and professional standards to guide healthcare actions

Professional accountability

Being responsible for one's actions and decisions in patient care

Patient harm

Physical or psychological injury resulting from healthcare actions or errors

ICU stay

Intensive care unit hospitalization required for critically ill patients

Medication error

Any preventable event that may cause inappropriate medication use or patient harm

Standard of care

The level of care a competent healthcare professional is expected to provide