Unit 8: Liability in Patient Care – Discussion

To access the Discussion Board, click this unit’s Discussion link, on the left. Be sure to post a response to all Discussion topics. Please review the Discussion Board Participation grading rubric under Course Home in the Grading Rubrics section. This is important information that will ensure that you earn maximum points. Your postings should be qualitative and provide substantive depth that advances the discussion. Please see the Kaplan Writing Center located in the student portal for assistance with writing, APA, and online communication. 

Topic   1: HIV Testing and Informed Consent

Assume that one of the staff a nurse working on the unit that you are supervising has been stuck with a needle from a patient named John. You do not know the John’s HIV status but he appears to have a needle mark on his arm. John is constantly asking for pain medication and his dosage of narcotics had to be raised because the lower doses were not holding him. John’s girlfriend-Elaine, has numerous tattoos and the two are sexually active as disclosed by John. What actions will you take to protect the staff nurse? Examine this scenario using the CDC recommendations and your state laws. Fully discuss all the legal and ethical implications of the actions you will take. 

Peer review two of your colleagues’ posts.