An RN working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is caring for a patient with an acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage related to Hepatitis C liver damage that resulted from cocaine abuse. At the end of the shift, the outgoing RN states to the incoming RN, "I have been in that patient's room all day, transfusing blood products. It's such a waste of resources. Why should we even bother to treat him, since he will just be using cocaine again after discharge?"
Initial Discussion Post:
Address the following:
What is the most appropriate way for the incoming RN to approach this situation? Include ethical and legal considerations.
What is the role of the RN in regard to addressing the value system of other health care workers that may have a negative impact of the delivery of patient care? Include ethical and legal considerations.
Base your initial post on your readings and research of this topic. Your initial post must contain a minimum of 250 words. References, citations, and repeating the question do not count towards the 250-word minimum.