2 page paper on the ethical side of refusal of treatment. APA format, following these guidelines. Describe the patient scenario, (the scenario is a mother who refuses treatment for her newborn baby, e

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Introduction:
In the medical field, ethical and legal dilemmas arise where the healthcare provider must balance their duty of care towards the patient and their obligations to follow the legal and ethical principles of their profession. This paper aims to discuss the ethical side of refusal of treatment through a hypothetical scenario of a mother refusing treatment for her newborn baby, leading to an ethical dilemma or legal situation. The paper will examine the potential solutions to the dilemma and the consequences of each solution. Lastly, the paper will describe the actions that the nurse can take, along with the rationale and potential consequences.

1. Describe the patient scenario, with background information, leading to an ethical dilemma or legal situation:
In this scenario, a new mother has just given birth to her baby girl. However, the baby is born with a medical condition that requires immediate treatment. The medical team addresses the issue to the mother and informs her of the severity of the condition and the potential risks if left untreated. However, the mother refuses to allow her baby to undergo any medical intervention, citing religious beliefs and personal preferences. This refusal is leading to an ethical dilemma or legal situation since the medical team has the duty to provide medical care to the patient in their best interest, but the mother’s refusal is hindering their ability to do so.

2. Describe the actual or potential ethical dilemma or legal situation:
The ethical dilemma in this scenario is determining how to provide medical care to the newborn baby, considering the mother’s refusal of treatment. The medical team has an ethical obligation to provide medical care to the baby, but there may be legal implications of providing care against the mother’s wishes.

3. If you have chosen to write about an ethical situation, cite and describe the related portion of the Code of Ethics for Nurses:
According to Provision 2 of the Code of Ethics for Nurses, nurses are obligated to promote and advocate for the rights, health, and safety of their patients. The provision states that nurses should collaborate with the patients’ families to determine the best care plan that is in line with the patient’s best interests.

4. Explain the potential solutions for the ethical dilemma, with potential consequences for each solution:
One potential solution is respecting the mother’s wishes and not administering any medical intervention to the newborn baby. However, this may lead to further complications and even endanger the baby’s life. Another option is seeking a court order to intervene and provide medical care to the baby. However, this may harm the relationship between the medical team, the mother, and the baby. A compromise could be reached by engaging in extensive dialogue and education to the mother about the potential risks of refusing treatment and the benefits of medical intervention.

5. Describe the actions you would take as the nurse, the rationale, and the potential consequences of these actions:
As the nurse, I would engage in extensive dialogue with the mother and provide detailed education on the medical condition, potential risks and benefits of treatment, and implications of refusing treatment. I would seek the help of a medical ethics committee to reach a consensus between the medical team and the mother. If the mother insists on refusing treatment, I would seek legal advice on the next course of action. The potential consequences of these actions could either be reputation damage or legal consequences if the court rules against providing medical intervention, but ultimately, the aim is to prioritize the health and safety of the newborn baby.