Have You Been Informed? Promoting and Respecting a Patients Decision Have you ever participated in something without knowing all the risks? In a healthcare setting, it is considered illegal and unethical for a patient to consent to treatment without having a clear understanding of the procedure and all necessary information (Rock & Hoebeke, 2014). A nurse’s role is to assess the patient’s understanding of their decision whilst continuing to advocate for them by protecting and respecting the patient’s interests (Rock & Hoebeke, 2014). Although this can pose a challenge when personal values do not coincide with the patients. When faced with this challenge Lachman (2010) states, “Professional nurses must honor the patients wishes and not intervene” …show more content…
According to CNA (2008) the purpose of the code is to, “ provide guidance for ethical relationships, responsibilities, behaviors and decision-making, and it is to be used in conjunction with the professional standards, laws and regulations that guide practice” (p.2). In short, CNA’s code of ethics is to ensure nurses provide safe and ethical care. Although there are seven ethical values outlined in the code of ethics, this paper will only address promoting and respecting informed decision-making. Nurses have a responsibility to uphold this ethical value regardless if they agree with their client. As highlighted by CNA (2008), “Nurses are sensitive to the inherent power differentials between care providers and those receiving care. They do not misuse that power to influence decision-making” (p. 12). Therefore, nurses must be professional by not sharing their own personal views while communicating with a patient. They must recognize their role when obtaining informed consent is to advocate for the patient and witness the patient’s decision to treatment (Rock & Hoebeke, …show more content…
This is essential to not only ensure safe ethical care, but to constantly implement the professional boundaries of a nurse. Friend (2011) discusses that nurses have to support moral practices, but equally have to recognize that personal values may not coincide with those of their patients. For example, Assisted suicide and do-not-resuscitate orders are end of life decisions that may cause an ethical dilemma for a nurse. Whether or not a nurse agrees with the patient’s goal of care, they must adhere to the code of ethics and respect patient choices. Nurses also have a duty to promote consent by providing needed information, consequences of refusal and identify the patient’s agreement to procedures (Rock & Hoebeke, 2014). This nursing value encourages me to respect decisions of others that I may not agree with not only in my nursing practice but also in my personal life. This value ensures I am responsible in my own professional practice to “recognize, respect and promote a person’s right to be informed and make decisions” (CNA, 2008,