Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs – JJ is a 7-year-old male that has been dealing with asthma his entire life
JJ is a 7-year-old male that has been dealing with asthma his entire life. Multiple treatments have been tried, which have helped symptoms, but nothing that works completely. You are treating him and know of a study regarding a new asthma medication being developed. This new medication contains a bronchodilator/steroid/antihistamine as an inhalation. None of the drugs being studied have previously been approved for children under the age of 12. The study would last for 16 weeks. Write a 2- to 3-page Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs – JJ is a 7-year-old male that has been dealing with asthma his entire life paper that addresses the following:
Brian Foster Conditions of the Cardiovascular System Test Selection
Explain the ethical and legal implications of the scenario you selected on all stakeholders involved, such as the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and patient’s family. Describe strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario you selected. Be sure to reference laws specific to your state.
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Explain two strategies that you, as an advanced practice nurse, would use to guide your decision making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose your error Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs – JJ is a 7-year-old male that has been dealing with asthma his entire life. Be sure to justify your explanation.
Explain the process of writing prescriptions, including strategies to minimize medication errors.
Title: Ethical and Legal Considerations When Prescribing Medications
Introduction
In the world of healthcare, one of the most crucial principles is to “do no harm.” This principle, known as non-maleficence, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing patient safety and preventing harm. This paper explores the ethical and legal aspects of prescribing medications that haven’t been officially approved for use in children, focusing on a case involving a 7-year-old named JJ, who has been battling asthma. We’ll also discuss how nurses can handle disclosure and non-disclosure issues and make informed decisions while considering their ethical values and legal responsibilities.
Case Overview
Our case involves a 7-year-old boy named JJ, who has been struggling with asthma for his entire life. Despite trying various treatments that provided some relief, none have proven truly effective. During routine care, the author of this paper learns about a new asthma medication that combines a bronchodilator, a steroid, and an antihistamine, administered through inhalation. However, this drug is not yet approved for use in children under 12 years of age, and the study involving it would last 16 weeks.
Ethical and Legal Implications of the Selected Scenario
Prescriber
Nurses bear both an ethical and a legal responsibility to protect patients from preventable harm. In this particular case, it’s crucial for nurses to educate patients about their condition and the FDA-approved management options, as well as those not yet approved. To ensure patient safety, prescribers must carefully weigh the benefits and risks of using a drug that lacks FDA approval based on the latest available evidence. For patients with chronic conditions like asthma, prescribers should also evaluate factors that could impact treatment outcomes, such as exposure to triggers and adherence to prescribed regimens. Failure to do so could lead to legal consequences and even the revocation of the prescriber’s license.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists possess extensive knowledge of FDA-approved drugs for various medical conditions. They are legally obliged to ensure that the prescribed medication matches the patient’s diagnosis. In the case of off-label drugs, pharmacists play a professional role in evaluating the risks versus benefits and advising accordingly before dispensing. Failing to adhere to these responsibilities can result in the loss of a pharmacist’s license.
Patient and Patient’s Family
Patients have a fundamental right to be informed. When seeking care, nurses must comprehensively evaluate patients’ needs, including physical, emotional, social, and psychological aspects. This holistic approach guides the discussion of the diagnosis, available management options, and their associated side effects. Even though JJ is a minor, both the child and caregiver should receive this information to support their self-care efforts in managing asthma. Prescribing the new drug without sharing this information not only violates the patient’s right to informed consent but also goes against the principle of justice. From a legal perspective, the patient’s family can take legal action against the hospital and the prescriber if adverse outcomes occur.
Strategies to Address Disclosure and Non-Disclosure
The Nursing Practice Act (NPA) mandates that nurses must thoroughly discuss drug indications, risks, benefits, mode of action, and administration with patients. For drugs under clinical investigation, ethical prescribing involves obtaining informed consent from the patient or legal caregiver, confirming the diagnosis, showing that current treatments are inadequate, and collecting reliable information on the drug’s safety and effectiveness.
Strategies to Guide Decision Making
In this scenario, the author would share all pertinent information about the new drug with the patient and seek consultation from a more experienced specialist. During the consultation, details about the new drug and the ongoing study would be presented. If, after consultation, it becomes clear that the benefits of the new drug outweigh the risks, and with the legal caregiver’s consent, the author would proceed with the prescription. Conversely, if the risks outweigh the benefits, further evaluation for other contributing factors would be necessary to improve the patient’s prognosis.
The Prescription Writing Process
When writing a prescription, it is essential for clinicians to follow a structured process:
1. Identify the patient’s medical issues.
2. Establish therapeutic goals.
3. Select the appropriate medication.
4. Initiate therapy with accurate information.
5. Educate the patient about potential risks, side effects, benefits, and warnings.
6. Conduct regular follow-up to monitor progress.
This process ensures safe and effective medication management.
References
Arcangelo, V. P., Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (4th ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Clark, J. (2018). Rational prescribing in primary health care. In Releasing Resources to Achieve Health Gain (pp. 31-36). CRC Press.
Mitchell, A., & Oliphant, C. M. (2016). Responsibility for Ethical Prescribing. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 12(3), A20. Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs – JJ is a 7-year-old male that has been dealing with asthma his entire life
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