A second-year nursing student, Megan is assigned to an orthopedic unit and enters a
patient’s room to conduct her initial assessment. The 70-year-old patient, Joseph Jones
had a total hip replacement two days ago. When Megan arrives at the bedside, she
uses her iPhone to enter a question regarding the best practice for post-operative
ambulation of patients with hip surgery. Mr. Jones seems agitated and asks the student:
“Why don’t you nurses, and doctors pay attention to me and put those machines away?”
Megan is upset by his agitation and immediately leaves the room.
1. How and when should a nurse use an iPhone in this scenario?
2. What is the most appropriate response by the nursing student to Mr. Jones
concerns?
3. Consider and discuss the ethical, professional responsibility, accountability, and
the development of the therapeutic relationship factors that the student nurse
must consider when using this technology in the provision of patient care.
4. Identify any legal/ethical concerns to be addressed in this scenario.
5. How might Megan address scenarios her own attitude and gain support?
6. Identify valid websites that might provide information required at the bedside for
this patient.
As a second-year nursing student, Megan is assigned to an orthopedic unit to conduct her initial assessment of a 70-year-old patient, Joseph Jones, who had a total hip replacement two days ago. While entering the patient’s room, Megan uses her iPhone to seek guidance on post-operative ambulation of patients with hip surgery. However, Mr. Jones feels agitated and questions why nurses and doctors do not pay attention to him and instead use their machines. This scenario highlights the need for nurses to use technology judiciously and ethically, while maintaining a therapeutic relationship with their patients.
Firstly, using an iPhone or any other device to seek information is appropriate when the information is relevant to the patient’s care and treatment. Nurses can use their phones to access electronic health records, patient care guidelines, and educational resources. However, the nurse must ensure that the use of technology does not interfere with the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and patient. Nurses must also use their phones in a manner that is respectful of the patient’s privacy and confidentiality.
In this scenario, the most appropriate response by the nursing student to Mr. Jones’ concerns would be to address his agitation and explain why she was using her phone. The nursing student could explain that she was seeking the best practice for post-operative ambulation to ensure that Mr. Jones receives the best care possible. The nursing student could also acknowledge Mr. Jones’ feelings and assure him that she is there to provide care and support. This response would help to establish trust and a therapeutic relationship between the nurse and patient.
The nursing student must consider the ethical, professional responsibility, accountability, and development of the therapeutic relationship when using technology in patient care. Nurses have an ethical and professional responsibility to use technology in a manner that upholds patient privacy, confidentiality, and autonomy. Nurses must also be accountable for the information they access and the decisions they make based on that information. Additionally, nurses must consider the development of the therapeutic relationship when using technology. Technology can be a barrier to communication and relationship building between nurses and patients, which is essential for providing patient-centered care.
In this scenario, legal and ethical concerns include the protection of patient privacy and confidentiality, ensuring that the patient is fully informed about the use of technology in their care, and obtaining informed consent before using technology. Additionally, nurses must ensure that the information they access is accurate, reliable, and evidence-based.
Megan can address her attitude and gain support by seeking guidance from her clinical instructor or a more experienced nurse. She can also reflect on the situation, identify her biases, and work towards addressing them. By acknowledging her limitations, Megan can enhance her knowledge and skills, which can positively impact her patient care.
Some valid websites that could provide information for Mr. Jones include MedlinePlus, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
In conclusion, the use of technology in nursing is essential for providing safe and effective patient care. However, nurses must use technology ethically, while considering the therapeutic relationship with their patients. In this scenario, the nursing student could have responded to Mr. Jones’ concerns in a way that addressed his feelings while also ensuring that she obtained the information she needed to provide the best care possible. By considering the ethical, professional, and legal implications of using technology in patient care, nurses can ensure that they provide patient-centered care that upholds the highest standards of nursing practice.