Autonomy is one of the ethical principles that is important in nursing practice. According to Weiss and Tappen, “autonomy is the freedom to make decisions for oneself”(2015, p.54). In 1990, the US Congress passed the Patient Self-Determination Act which permitted individuals to make their decisions regarding medical treatment. The individual has to be competent to make the medical decision or have a durable power of attorney to appoint someone to make decisions for them when they're deemed incompetence. As nurses, we are required to respect patients wishes and provide them with the evidence-based information so that they can make an informed decision. ‘’Nurses are supposed to protect patients’ right to autonomy and advocate for them to make
…show more content…
The answer is not yet to be found.For instance, in the case of Cassandra C., a 17-year- old from Connecticut. On September 2014, Cassandra was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma but refused to undergo chemotherapy treatment because its was ‘poisonous.' She stated that chemotherapy caused harm, destroyed fertility organs and was toxic to the body. Her mother accepted her decision.However, the Connecticut Medical Center sent the case to the Department of Children and Family. The Supreme Court made the final resolution. (Kovner There the doctors stated that Cassandra had a form of cancer that had a high survival rate, so if she agreed to do chemotherapy, she would have 85% chance of living for the next 30 years.The Connecticut Supreme Court ordered Cassandra to undergo six months of chemotherapy against her will. The judge determines that she was immature and her reasons not to do chemotherapy were not proof beyond ‘do no harm,' and also that her decision influenced by her mother who did not believe in her daughter’s cancer diagnosis and the chemotherapy treatment. For Cassandra to be deemed competent, the Court looked at the "age, experience, degree of maturity, judgment skills, the demeanor of the minor, evidence of separates of parents "(Kathryn,2007). Although Cassandra has a few months till she becomes 18yrs old and she attains the chronological age to be competent, I …show more content…
Moreover, in most cases, the principle of autonomy conflicts with the other principles, especially of nonmaleficence and beneficence. Nonmaleficence which is, “ avoidance of harm or hurt ”(ANA, 2011) requires nurses to protect a patient from harm, but it's often difficult for nurses to comply with it. When the patients decide to put themselves in danger, the nurses cannot do anything to help them because the “nurse cannot replace a patient's decision with her own even when the nurse honestly believes that the patient has made the wrong choice”(Weiss & Tappen,2015, p.55) When the nurses attempt to be beneficent which is to show “ compassion; taking positive action to help others; desire to do good; ( ANA,2011), this principle might violate autonomy too. So, the nurses are not allowed to do good even for the sake of the patients if they do not consent to treatment. The patient’s wish must be
The answer is not yet to be found.For instance, in the case of Cassandra C., a 17-year- old from Connecticut. On September 2014, Cassandra was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma but refused to undergo chemotherapy treatment because its was ‘poisonous.' She stated that chemotherapy caused harm, destroyed fertility organs and was toxic to the body. Her mother accepted her decision.However, the Connecticut Medical Center sent the case to the Department of Children and Family. The Supreme Court made the final resolution. (Kovner There the doctors stated that Cassandra had a form of cancer that had a high survival rate, so if she agreed to do chemotherapy, she would have 85% chance of living for the next 30 years.The Connecticut Supreme Court ordered Cassandra to undergo six months of chemotherapy against her will. The judge determines that she was immature and her reasons not to do chemotherapy were not proof beyond ‘do no harm,' and also that her decision influenced by her mother who did not believe in her daughter’s cancer diagnosis and the chemotherapy treatment. For Cassandra to be deemed competent, the Court looked at the "age, experience, degree of maturity, judgment skills, the demeanor of the minor, evidence of separates of parents "(Kathryn,2007). Although Cassandra has a few months till she becomes 18yrs old and she attains the chronological age to be competent, I …show more content…
Moreover, in most cases, the principle of autonomy conflicts with the other principles, especially of nonmaleficence and beneficence. Nonmaleficence which is, “ avoidance of harm or hurt ”(ANA, 2011) requires nurses to protect a patient from harm, but it's often difficult for nurses to comply with it. When the patients decide to put themselves in danger, the nurses cannot do anything to help them because the “nurse cannot replace a patient's decision with her own even when the nurse honestly believes that the patient has made the wrong choice”(Weiss & Tappen,2015, p.55) When the nurses attempt to be beneficent which is to show “ compassion; taking positive action to help others; desire to do good; ( ANA,2011), this principle might violate autonomy too. So, the nurses are not allowed to do good even for the sake of the patients if they do not consent to treatment. The patient’s wish must be