Lab Assignment: Ethical Concerns
Instructions:
Select one scenario, and reflect on the material presented throughout this course.
What necessary information would need to be obtained about the patient through health assessments and diagnostic tests?
Consider how you would respond as an advanced practice nurse. Review evidence-based practice guidelines and ethical considerations applicable to the scenarios you selected.
Assignment:
Write a detailed one-page narrative (not a formal paper) explaining the health assessment information required for a diagnosis of your selected patient (include the scenario number). Explain how you would respond to the scenario as an advanced practice nurse using evidence-based practice guidelines and applying ethical considerations. Justify your response using at least three different references from current evidence-based literature.
Scenario Number 1: The parents of a 5-year-old boy have accompanied their son for his required physical examination before starting kindergarten. His parents are opposed to him receiving any vaccines.
ORDER AN ORIGINAL LAB ASSIGNMENT WITH US
This assessment is based on scenario number one about the parents of a 5-year-old boy who have accompanied their son for his required physical examination before starting kindergarten and are opposed to him receiving any vaccines. As an advanced practice nurse, I understand the importance of ensuring children receive the recommended vaccines to protect them from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and achieve herd immunity in the community (Lindstrand et al., 2021). Therefore, I would approach the scenario of the parents opposing their 5-year-old son receiving any vaccines with compassion, respect, and empathy while providing them with accurate information based on current evidence-based practice guidelines.
To begin the health assessment, I would gather information about the child’s medical history, including any previous illnesses, surgeries, allergies, or medications. I would also conduct a physical examination to assess his vital signs, growth, development, and overall health status. It is crucial to consider the patient’s health history and symptoms and any relevant lab tests or imaging studies. In the case of vaccine-preventable diseases, a clinical diagnosis is usually based on typical signs and symptoms, such as fever, rash, cough, and difficulty breathing (Frenkel, 2021).
My primary obligation as a nurse is to act in the patient’s best interest. Therefore, I would explain to the parents the importance of vaccines in protecting their child from serious diseases, the safety and efficacy of vaccines, and the potential risks of not vaccinating. I would also provide them with evidence-based resources, such as scientific studies, official guidelines from professional organizations, and vaccine safety monitoring systems information. If the parents still refuse to vaccinate their child despite my efforts to educate and persuade them, I would respect their decision. However, I would also explain the potential consequences of not vaccinating, such as the risk of contracting a vaccine-preventable disease, spreading it to others, and experiencing severe complications or even death (Rodrigues & Plotkin, 2020). I would also recommend regular follow-up care for routine checkups and necessary treatment adjustments.
References
Frenkel, L. D. (2021). The global burden of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in children less than 5 years of age: Implications for COVID-19 vaccination. How can we do better? Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, 42(5), 378–385. https://doi.org/10.2500/aap.2021.42.210065
Lindstrand, A., Cherian, T., Chang-Blanc, D., Feikin, D., & O’Brien, K. L. (2021). The world of immunization: Achievements, challenges, and strategic vision for the next decade. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 224(Supplement_4), S452–S467. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiab284
Rodrigues, C. M. C., & Plotkin, S. A. (2020). Impact of vaccines; health, economic and social perspectives. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11(1526).