Mrs. ABC is a 35 year old woman who has a scheduled business trip today. It is currently 8 am, and her plan is to leave at 6 pm. Mrs. ABC has a sore throat and she thinks it is strep because her 5 year old daughter was recently treated for strep. Mrs. ABC calls her physician for an appointment, but there are no appointments available until next week. She has a mother who is a nurse practitioner and her office is 5 minutes away from where she lives. She calls and schedules an appointment with her mother. Her mother was surprised to see her daughter at the office. Mrs. ABC is frantic and begs her mother for an antibiotic. Her mother tests her and the rapid strep test is negative in office. Her mother (NP) sends out a strep DNA probe. Her mother prescribes an antibiotic and the patient (her daughter) is very satisfied. The results returned for the DNA probe 48 hours later and it confirmed negative for strep.

 

To Complete:

 

Post 2  TO 3 pages on:  An explanation of whether NPs should treat family members. What are the ethical dilemmas in this situation? What are the laws in your state  of Georgia for NPs treating themselves, family, or friends?

 

 

 

References:

 

Buppert, C. (2015). Resolving ethical dilemmas. In Nurse Practitioner’s Business Practice and Legal Guide (5th ed.) (479 – 487). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

 

Hamric, A. B., Hanson, C. M., Tracy, M. F., & O’Grady, E. T. (2014). Ethical decision making. In Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach (5th ed.) (328 – 354). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders

 

Kaplan, C. (2008). Ethical Dilemmas. Advance Healthcare Network. Retrieved from http://nurse-practitioners-and-physician-assistants.advanceweb.com/Article/Ethical-Dilemmas-2.aspx

 

MidlevelU: The Online Hub for Midlevels. (2013, January 14). Should Providers Treat Their Friends and Family? [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://midlevelu.com/blog/should-providers-treat-their-friends-and-family

 

Media:

 

HEAT Inc., Health Education & Training. (2010, May 12). Ethical Issues In Nursing — Commitment: Patients, Professionalism, and Boundaries. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtuanLybaZs

 

Buppert, C. (2004). Can NPs prescribe for family members or themselves? Medscape. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/478418