Posted: September 3rd, 2023

AC is a 72-year-old male

AC is a 72-year-old male

Pharmacology homework help
ETHICAL AND LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF PRESCRIBING DRUGS
AC is a 72-year-old male who is admitted to your ICU after suffering a massive stroke that has left him unresponsive and unable to communicate.  He is currently on a ventilator.  His wife of 48 years is available along with their one adult daughter.  The wife informs you that they don’t have any advanced directives, but she is “pretty sure her husband would not want to live like this.”  However, their daughter is adamant her dad would want to be kept alive in case there is any chance to come out of this

Explain the ethical and legal implications of the scenario you selected on all stakeholders involved, such as the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and patient’s family.

Describe strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario you selected. Be sure to reference laws specific to your state.
Explain two strategies that you, as an advanced practice nurse, would use to guide your decision making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose your error. Be sure to justify your explanation. Describe strategies for dealing with disclosure and nondisclosure issues as identified in the scenario you chose. Make sure to check the laws in your state.
Explain two strategies you would employ as an advanced practice nurse to guide your decision-making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose your error. Make certain to justify your explanation.
Explain the process of writing prescriptions, including strategies to minimize medication errors
2-3 page

include reference:

Rosenthal, L. D., & Burchum, J. R. (2021). Lehne’s pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants (2nd ed.) St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. chapter 1-6
Drug Enforcement Administration. (2021). CFR – Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 Links to an external site.. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=1300

From an ethical perspective, the main stakeholders – AC, his wife and daughter – have competing interests here that require balancing. While his wife believes AC would not want prolonged life support given his current condition, his daughter holds out hope for recovery. In the absence of advanced directives clearly specifying AC’s end-of-life wishes, there is no definitive way to know what choice respects his autonomy the most. Both viewpoints could be argued to demonstrate care and concern for AC’s wellbeing.
Legally, life-sustaining treatment cannot be withdrawn without consent from a surrogate decision-maker like his wife, unless her decision is challenged. As his treating physician, you would need to have an in-depth discussion with both family members, carefully considering each perspective while also explaining AC’s prognosis objectively based on medical facts. If consensus still cannot be reached, the hospital ethics committee could mediate to determine the option most aligned with his likely values and preferences before his incapacity.
Overall, open communication, compassion for all involved, and making the patient’s interests paramount are key ethical strategies here. Legally, following your state’s advanced directive and surrogate decision-making laws is crucial. As an advanced practice nurse, I would aim to guide the family to a resolution that respects AC’s autonomy to the highest degree possible given the circumstances. Disclosure of all relevant medical information, treatment alternatives and uncertainties is also important to facilitate truly informed consent. I hope these perspectives are helpful for navigating this complex situation. Please let me know if any part needs more clarification or expansion.

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