Question

You are working as a registered nurse on a medical-surgical floor after graduation. You love your job and your co-workers. You have grown close with your colleagues, and regularly attend get togethers outside of work. As you have particularly became close with nurse X, who has been your mentor on the unit.

One day while at work, you walk into the break room and see nurse X attempting to take syringes out of a sharps container. When you ask what they are doing, nurse X replies “I have had some terrible back pain, I don’t want to see my doctor because I just don’t have the time. Please keep this between you and me. I know that I can trust you”.

1. What do you do with what you have just witnessed? What ethical situations are presented before you?

2. If you choose to report your colleague; what will be the cost to you in doing so?

3. Is there any patient care issues within this scenario?

Answer 1

Nurse X took an used syringe for reuse.. int is breaking infection prevention.. it wouldn't allow on any situation..If she really need treatment ,she should consult a doctor as soon as possible after informing her superiors.

She is trying to break the code of ethics Contributions through Developing Maintaining, and Implementing Professional Practice Standards..

If we are not informing this situation to your superior, she will be doing the same action again . It may affect patient care also.

These malpractices may affect patient care . She might use these used syringe practices to the patient also. That will be against the infection control practices.