Case Study #3
A 19-year-old girl has come in for a routine check-up and has not yet received the Covid vaccine. Her family is very religious and believes that they are covered by their faith.
Directions:
Write a detailed one-page narrative (not a formal paper) explaining the health assessment information required for a diagnosis of your selected patient (include the scenario number). Explain how you would respond to the scenario as an advanced practice nurse using evidence-based practice guidelines and applying ethical considerations. Justify your response using at least three different references from current evidence-based literature.
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Scenario: A 19-year-old girl has come in for a routine check-up and has not yet received the Covid vaccine. Her family is very religious and believes that they are covered by their faith.
As an advanced practice nurse, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive health assessment of the 19-year-old girl to gather the necessary information for diagnosis and management. The assessment should include a review of the patient’s medical history, family history, immunization record, current medications, and any allergies. Additionally, it is crucial to obtain a detailed social history, including the patient’s religious beliefs and cultural background.
In this scenario, the patient’s family’s religious beliefs may impact the patient’s decision to receive the Covid vaccine. As a healthcare provider, it is important to acknowledge and respect the patient’s beliefs while also providing evidence-based information to support informed decision-making. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against Covid-19 and its potentially severe complications. The CDC recommends Covid vaccination for everyone aged 12 years and older, including individuals who have previously had Covid-19.
To address the patient’s concerns and provide evidence-based information, the nurse can use motivational interviewing techniques to explore the patient’s thoughts and feelings about vaccination. The nurse can also provide educational materials that explain the risks and benefits of vaccination and how it can help protect against Covid-19. In some cases, involving a trusted spiritual leader or counselor may help the patient make an informed decision.
From an ethical perspective, the nurse must respect the patient’s autonomy and right to make decisions about their healthcare. However, the nurse also has a duty to promote the patient’s well-being and protect public health. In situations where the patient’s decision not to vaccinate may pose a risk to themselves or others, the nurse must consider the ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. The nurse can work with the patient to develop a plan that supports their religious beliefs while also minimizing the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
A comprehensive health assessment that includes a review of the patient’s medical and social history is essential for making an informed diagnosis and management plan. When working with patients who have religious objections to vaccination, it is important to acknowledge and respect their beliefs while also providing evidence-based information to support informed decision-making. Using motivational interviewing techniques and involving trusted spiritual leaders or counselors can also help promote informed decision-making. Ultimately, the nurse must balance the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence when developing a management plan that promotes the patient’s well-being while also minimizing the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
