Legal and Ethical Principles

Sample Solution

Legal and Ethical Principles in Medication Administration

Introduction

Medication administration is a critical aspect of nursing care that demands adherence to both legal and ethical principles.

This discussion post explores key legal and ethical principles relevant to medication administration, and how these principles inform evidence-based practice.  

1. Maintaining patient safety in medication administration - British Journal of Nursing

www.britishjournalofnursing.com

Legal and Ethical Principles

Two fundamental legal and ethical principles underpin medication administration:

1. Autonomy: This principle respects the patient's right to self-determination and decision-making. In medication administration, it manifests as obtaining informed consent, respecting patient refusal, and providing clear information about medication benefits and risks.  
   1. Patient Rights and Ethics - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

   

   www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2. Beneficence: This principle obligates healthcare providers to act in the patient's best interest. In medication administration, it translates into accurate medication preparation, administration, and monitoring for therapeutic effects and adverse reactions.  
   1. Patient Rights and Ethics - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

   

   www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relationship Between Legal and Ethical Principles and Medication Administration

Legal and ethical principles are intricately intertwined in medication administration. Adherence to legal standards, such as licensure requirements and medication administration protocols, is essential to protect patients from harm. However, legal compliance alone is insufficient. Ethical principles, such as autonomy and beneficence, provide a moral compass for decision-making.

Full Answer Section

For instance, while a healthcare provider may legally administer a medication, ethical considerations might arise if the patient's autonomy is compromised due to impaired decision-making capacity. In such cases, balancing the patient's right to self-determination with the duty to protect from harm becomes crucial.

Impact on Evidence-Based Practice

My research has reinforced the importance of patient-centered care, emphasizing the need to involve patients in medication decision-making. This aligns with the autonomy principle. Additionally, evidence-based practice highlights the significance of staying updated on medication information, potential side effects, and interactions, which underscores the beneficence principle.

A novel perspective gained from this research is the concept of "therapeutic alliance."

Building a strong therapeutic relationship with patients fosters trust and open communication, enhancing medication adherence and overall patient outcomes. This finding has prompted me to prioritize active listening, empathy, and clear explanations when administering medications.  

1. Importance of therapeutic alliance in medication adherence - Acare HCP Global - Abbott

acarepro.abbott.com

References

Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Hall, J. C., & Stockert, P. G. (2021). Fundamentals of nursing (10th ed.). Elsevier.

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. American Nurses Association.

By understanding and applying legal and ethical principles to medication administration, nurses can deliver safe, effective, and patient-centered care.

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Would you like to explore specific examples of how legal and ethical principles have influenced medication administration practices in a particular healthcare setting?