Empirical way of Knowing
Empirical knowledge is actively practiced in the hospital setting daily through evidence –based practice (EBP). It is policy that each person daily assess and documents the use of a foley if that patient is assigned to them. The EBP is to remove the foley unless needed. This is to prevent urinary tract infection. As an intervention, I try to be more observant of the mental status of the elderly especially those with a foley. If there is some question to their mental status, a urine culture is promptly ordered and the foley addressed with their doctor. Many times family members want their loved ones to have a foley. In this case the science of nursing is employed by relating and explaining to family and patient about preventing and acquiring infections in average terms. Carnago & Mast (2015) states that “empirical …show more content…
Earlier in my nursing career, I had a patient who could have possibly extended his life but this patient refused to listen to the doctors, nurses nor his family despite the favorably prognosis. This patient was in chronic renal failure. He was still producing some urine. He was placed on a lasix drip but his renal function grew steadily worse. This patient adamantly refused dialysis. He preferred to die rather than to have dialysis. My intervention was to be supportive of his decision and give him the best care possible despite my misgivings. Milton (2006) explains the ethical pattern in these terms, “persons choose how they will be with situation, while co-transcending with the possibles. Cherished value priorities are illuminated in the midst of disappointments. …. There are no outcomes, only consequences ever unfolding. All experiences have purpose. ” (p.102). Each person has a choice, and as long as that choice does not impose on another’s freedom it must be respected even if one disagrees. This is the dilemma of the ethical way of