Reflection Paper on ethics in nursing practice

Throughout this semester in pediatric nursing, my journey of personal and professional growth has been both challenging and rewarding. I began this semester with the objective of gaining knowledge on childhood conditions and effectively managing patients and their families. I have managed to utilize this course to improve my critical thinking and decision-making practices related to pediatric care. Pediatric nursing often involves managing complex cases where quick, informed decisions are critical. Through clinical rotations and coursework, I have honed my ability to assess situations thoroughly, anticipate potential complications, and develop effective care plans. This process has been supported by a deeper understanding of pediatric pathophysiology and evidence-based practices, allowing me to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios confidently.

Ethical and legal considerations in pediatric nursing have also been a key focus objective this semester. Navigating ethical dilemmas that arise in pediatric care like the issue of confidentiality and consent has deepened my understanding of ethics in nursing practice. One particular instance is when I had to care for a child whose only one parent had legal custody. It was challenging dealing with the other parent, especially ignoring orders that were not approved by the legal guardian. This observation is consistent with research and reports about ethical issues in children’s care.

“Captain of the Ship” Project – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

About 10% of hospital admissions for children involve legal or ethical problems and nurses have a strong skill set to handle such intricate situations (Mahonaram, 2022). Another primary area of growth during this semester has been in improving communication. I have learned to adapt my communication style to be age-appropriate for pediatric patients while ensuring that parents and guardians are fully informed and comfortable.

Reflection – Evidence of the experiences you had while preparing for the CPE

Challenging Questions

1. What cultural considerations should a pediatric nurse be aware of during care delivery to patients from diverse backgrounds? Understanding cultural influences can facilitate culturally competent care delivery and improve health outcomes in healthcare (Nair & Adetayo, 2019).
2. What clinical observations can be made from a child born to a mother who was an addict during pregnancy? There is a range of possible effects that may result from drug use during pregnancy and its effects on the unborn child.
3. How does pain assessment in pediatrics differ from pain assessment for adults? Pain is difficult to measure accurately and reliably in children making the use of clinical judgment and assessment tools important for nurses.
4. How would you handle a situation where parents refuse a medically necessary treatment for their child? The pediatric nurse must be aware of the different rights of the children as well as the acts related to child welfare so that she/he can provide quality care to her pediatric patients (Manoharam, 2022)
5. What are the specific nutritional needs of a premature infant, and how do they differ from those of a full-term infant? Specialized feeding plans and monitoring are required for premature infants.
6. How do psychological issues like post-partum depression and puerperal psychosis affect maternal-child bonding? Maternal-infant bonding is an important factor that impacts the child’s social-emotional development.
7. What support mechanisms are available for mothers experiencing postpartum depression? Recognizing symptoms, providing emotional support, and facilitating access to mental health resources are essential for the comprehensive care of depressed mothers.
8. What steps can be taken to implement family-centered care in the pediatric setting? Including families in the care process of patients is shown to improve outcomes and it can inform healthcare policies and practices (Nair & Adetayo, 2019).
9. How can the nurse structure a conversation with a child who may be a victim of abuse, ensuring their safety and comfort? All healthcare providers are mandated to report issues of abuse or neglect to child welfare when there is a reasonable suspicion (Ko et al., 2024).
10.  What nursing actions can be used to prevent inappropriate dosage of medication for children? Pediatric medication dosing is weight-based and this potentially complicates drug administration.

References

Ko, H., Baugerud, G. A., Köpp, U. M. S., Johnson, M. S., & Szyszko Hovden, E. A. (2024). Exploring information-gathering techniques in medical and dental interviews for child abuse and neglect: A comprehensive scoping review of existing gaps. International Journal on Child Maltreatment: Research, Policy and Practice, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42448-024-00197-w

Manoharam, P. B. (2022). Ethical and legal issues in paediatric nursing. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research, 10(1), 80-84. http://dx.doi.org/10.52711/2454-2660.2022.00018

Nair, L., & Adetayo, O. A. (2019). Cultural competence and ethnic diversity in healthcare. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Global open, 7(5), e2219. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000002219