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Ethical Decisions

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Ethical decisions
In this post I will be reviewing the Case presentation on pg 77 of the Ethics & Issues in contemporary nursing book. I will discuss which ethical principles are involved in this case, the options for the nurse involved, possible outcomes and my own personal thoughts of what I would do.
In this case presentation a 17 year old female comes to the local family planning clinic seeking birth control. While performing the evaluation the nurse practitioner notices signs of physical abuse. When questioned she reluctantly admits that her biological father whom she resides with slapped her. She reports not wanting to get him in trouble because she does not want to live with her mother and step father. Her step father she reports has sexually abused her. The nurse practitioner now must look at several different ethical principles. According to Burkhardt and Nathaniel there are seven principles of ethics. Autonomy (self-governing), beneficence (to do good), nonmaleficene (avoid causing harm), veracity (tell the truth), confidentiality (nondisclosure of private or secret information) justice (fair treatment), and fidelity (faithfulness). (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2014, chap. 3) In this case all of these principle are applicable however I believe that the five most important to focus on are those of beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, veracity and confidentiality. (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2014, chap. 3) In the state of Ohio nurses are mandatory reporters according to the office of jobs and family services. (Job & family services, n.d.)The Ohio revised code section 2151.421 also states that nurse must report any form of suspected or reported abuse to a child under the age of 18 or a mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically impaired child under the age of 21. (Lawriter Ohio Laws and Rules, 2016) I feel that in cases of abuse reporting is in the

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