Law and Ethics

Task: Read the following scenario and discuss whether the nurses actions meet the guidelines as outlined in the NMBA Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia and the NMBA Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia. Your paper should have an introductory paragraph and conclusion. You are required to explain the meaning of all the value and conduct statements in your own words and then relate these statements to the scenario. If you believe the statement does not relate to the scenario you need to state the reason why. Michael is a 28 year old man who has been admitted into the emergency department following a car accident. He has internal bleeding and will need a blood transfusion to survive. The doctor has written an order for 3 units of blood to be transfused immediately. Michael is still conscious and oriented. The nurse tells Michael that the doctor has ordered a blood transfusion for him and it is necessary for him to survive. Michael refuses the blood transfusion and hands the nurse a signed, legal, Refusal of Treatment document. It states that he does not wish to receive a blood transfusion under any circumstance. His parents are with him and tell the nurse to ignore the document and please administer the blood. They tell the nurse that they love their son and will sue the hospital, the doctor and the nurse for negligence if the blood is not given. The nurse does not want to be negligent and wants to ensure that their son lives so starts to infuse the blood.