Ethical Principles, Essay Example

The ethical principles involved in this case relate to the 17 year old’s right to privacy and nurse’s responsibility to hold information shared in confidence. However, the nurse has an added responsibility for reporting all cases of abuse. She can choose to do so to the police or a provider who can intervene and make conditions safer for the client (American Nurses Association, 2015). The client does not want her father to get into any trouble. Hence, it would appear that the nurse is faced with an ethical dilemma

While it appears that the nurse has no options since the 17 year old seems to be in an abusive dilemma and chooses the lesser two evils, the nurse ought to act in the best interest of the child. In my opinion, the nurse’s obligation to report the incident overrides the obligation to maintain confidentiality. As such, I believe based on the prevailing circumstances of the child not wanting to be in foster care a social worker should be contacted to visit and counsel the family in the presence of Lora.

Depending on the abuse severity Lora could be removed from the home into temporary DCF custody. The matter could be taken to court and a judge makes a decision for her to be moved to the residence of a grandparent or another close relative who is willing to take responsibility for her safety (Health and Human Services, 2015). Lora’s autonomy does not outweigh the nurse’s responsibility to report the abusive situation.  I would not report it to the police, but an agency that would look at the pros and con and make the best decision for Lora’s safety.

References

American Nurses Association (2015).Code of Ethics for Nurses. Retrieved on November 12^th, 2015 from http://www.nursingworld.org/CodeofEthics

Health and Human Services (2015) Department of Children and Families: Child Abuse. Retrieved on November 12^th, 2015 from  http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dcf/