Question

The Elderly Patient Who Fears Constipation Mr. Johnstone, a mentally alert and physically fit 82-year old man, was admitted with the diagnosis of acute upper respiratory disease. During the course of his recovery, Mr. Johnstone experienced an uncomfortable episode of constipation. The problem was corrected, however, and the patient soon returned to his normal state of good health. When it was time to prepare Mr. Johnstone for discharge, Janis Forsyth, his primary nurse, noticed that Mr. Johnstone was having frequent diarrhea bowel movements. When questioned, Mr. Johnstone just chuckled and said that it was no problem. "Better this than being constipated," he stated. Ms. Forsythe and his physician were not convinced that he was entirely well and decided to keep Mr. Johnstone hospitalized for another day. Mr. Johnstone loudly objected to this and asserted that he was "just fine." The physician suspected that Mr. Johnstone might be causing the diarrhea by taking laxatives. Mr. Johnstone denied the charge. Ms. Forsythe, however, thought that the physician's suspicion might be correct. In fact, she had noticed that Mr. Johnstone had a small bag that he kept in his suitcase in the closet. The previous day, he had quickly closed his suitcase and put it in the closet when she walked into the room. When she asked if he needed anything, he was quite defensive and quickly turned on the television. After relating this episode to the physician, Ms. Forsythe was asked to "do a little detective work" and search for laxatives when Mr. Johnstone was out of his room. Should she search Mr. Johnstone's personal belongings? If she finds any laxatives, can she take them from Mr. Johnstone or prohibit him from taking them? After all, doesn't the patient have some choice over his bowel functions? Or does the fact of hospitalization take away this type of choice?

Answer 1

1. Searching the personal belongings of the client without his knowledge is not ethically acceptable. This can raise legal implications on the nurse if client becomes aware of the act.
2. It is not right to take any thing from his personal belongings even its a medication. If the nurse notices patient taking medicine and catches his red handed then thats the time she can remove the medicine and prohibit him from taking them.
3. Yes patient have right to decide over his bowel functions and also right to refuse medication that he does want. Hospitalization cannot take away this right for making choices for treatment from him.