Which policy or procedure represents strategies that can help nurses m

QUESTION

Which policy or procedure represents strategies that can help nurses make better ethical decisions? Select all that apply.

1. The nurse manager requires education on ethics at least once annually.
2. After each end-of-life situation, the nurses have a meeting to discuss the ethical
implications.
3. The charge nurse assigns a different nurse to a premature baby every day.
4. Hospital administration starts an ethics committee to make decisions for the
nurses.
5. The nurses ask the nurse manager to allow them to discuss difficult situations.

ANSWER:

Answer: 1; 2; 5

Rationale:
• The nurse manager requires education on ethics at least once annually: Education is imperative to allow nurses to practice a systematic method to evaluate situations.
• After each end-of-life situation, the nurses have a meeting to discuss the ethical implications: These discussions allow nurses to discuss legal rights and implications of ethical decisions made or considered.
• The charge nurse assigns a different nurse to a premature baby every day: This is inappropriate, as the infant requires continuity of care, regardless of the charge nurse’s attempt to involve the nurses in the situation.
• Hospital administration starts an ethics committee to make decisions for the nurses: This will not teach the nurses how to make better ethical decisions. The only way to get better at making decisions is to practice.
• The nurses ask the nurse manager to allow them to discuss difficult situations: Discussing difficult decisions helps alleviate stress. Alleviating stress helps nurses react to situations better and make better decisions.