What are Jane martin’s responsibilities in regard to respecting Mr. Tade’s autonomy and right to self-determination?

What are Jane martin’s responsibilities in regard to respecting Mr. Tade’s autonomy and right to self-determination?

Today, health care providers are faced with multiple challenges surrounding ethical dilemmas. Although nurses act as the best advocates and resource for patients, they often face conflict with the patients regarding the best form of medication that promotes a positive health outcome. One of the best tools which health practitioners, especially nurses, rely upon in navigating these kinds of challenges is nursing ethics and bioethical principles. According to (Cherry &Jacob, 2019), nursing ethics is a system of principles concerning the actions of the nurse in his or her relationship with the patient, patient’s family members, other health care providers, policymakers, and society as a whole. Autonomy and the right to self-determination are some of the fundamental principles of health ethics that provide nurses with direction to estimate the significance of their ethical responsibilities to their patients.

The principle of autonomy in nursing ethics demand nurses and healthcare practitioners to observe the rights of patients to make their own decision about their medical treatment and lifestyle. That is, patients are free from controlling influences or personal limitations like inadequate understanding. Relating this with the case study, Jane Martin has the responsibility of being truthful to Mr. Tade’s by continuously informing him of some of the health risks he faces due to his persistent consumption of alcohol, eating of unhealthy foods, and failure to take his medication. He also has the responsibility of respecting the decision of Mr. Tade regarding his treatment plan and choice of lifestyle. Finally, Jane Martin has the responsibility to disclose all the information to Mr. Tade regarding his prognosis. Availing such information to patients allows them to decide for themselves the future treatment plans and the kind of lifestyle to lead. Respect to patients’ autonomy and self-determination are the cornerstone of medical ethics, and nurses have the responsibility in respecting patients’ autonomy and self-determination.

References

Cherry, B., &Jacob, S. R. (2019). Contemporary nursing: issues, trends, & management (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier