Reference no: EM133921414

Questions:

1. Who are all the key individuals involved (the patient, patient's family, nurse, physician, etc?

2. If you were the nurse involved . . . what did you do or would you do?

3. What guidance can be provided by the application of ethical principles/theory and the nursing code of ethics to this specific situation?

4. Identify resources available to nurses to assist and support them through this type of situation.

Pain Medications at the End-of-Life

A terminally ill elderly lady who had a Do Not Resuscitate order was deteriorating throughout the shift with the family at the bedside. The nurse administered morphine to alleviate pain per the physician's orders, however the medication was affecting the patient's vital signs and the nurse administering the medications felt guilty and uncomfortable about this. The nurse felt that she was in some way causing the patient to deteriorate faster than if the medication was otherwise not administered. Although the pain medication was affecting the patient's vital signs, the patient request for pain medication and the physician's order must be granted. The physician had previously consulted with the patient and the family regarding pain relieving treatments and the effects of such treatment. Also, the nurse had provided education to the patient and the family regarding side effects of medications administered to the patient with both the patient and family verbalizing understanding of the teaching.