Assignment: Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs NURS 6521

Assignment: Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs NURS 6521

What type of drug should you prescribe based on your patient’s diagnosis? How much of the drug should the patient receive? How often should the drug be administered? When should the drug not be prescribed? Are there individual patient factors that could create complications when taking the drug? Should you be prescribing drugs to this patient? How might different state regulations affect the prescribing of this drug to this patient?

These are some of the questions you might consider when selecting a treatment plan for a patient.

Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs

Ethical and Legal Implications on Stakeholders

It is a responsibility of a Nurse Practitioner (NP) to collect patient data by taking his or her medical history and conducting examination prior to initiating any prescription of medication. This move is essential for a NP to accurately diagnose the patient and offer an appropriate treatment plan (Rossi, Lipsey & Henry, 2018). In the case at hand, although the NP had autonomy to prescribe, the NP neither took patient history nor conducted physical examination, which is a contravention

NURS 6521 Week 1 Ethical And Legal Implications Of Prescribing Drugs Assignment

of ethical principles. Besides, the NP ought to understand the move was against the laws and regulations that operate in Texas to guide the practice. Therefore, the NP risk facing legal implications should the patient report any adverse effects due to medical malpractice. On the other hand, the pharmacist has an ethical and legal obligation to provide education to patient on the right use of the any prescribed medication and their possible side effects before issuing the patient with the medication. Therefore, failure to do this may attract legal actions. The patient and the patient’s family on their side had a responsibility to report any adverse reaction to medication to the NP for proper action including change or discontinuation of medication.  Besides, they are allowed to initiate legal action against NP for negligence.

Strategies to Address Disclosure and Nondisclosure

In the present scenario, it is appropriate to report to the matter to the physician and consult on the best way forward. Essentially, in Texas, the NP is required to collaborate with physicians to form a relationship that fosters consultation and referral. However, many NPs do not trust this strategy for fear of possible loss of job since reporting such cases equal accepting committing illegal activities. Alternatively, the NP may rely on the statutory citation rule 413, which is a state apology law. This rule enables the NP to ask for pardon for contravening the standards rules of practice with a surety that such apology cannot be used against him or her in the court of law (Westrick & Jacob, 2016). In Texas, the statutory citation rule 413 is applicable as Tex. Civil Practice & Remedies Code Ann. §18.06. This rule is essential in enabling a better opportunity for the NP to indicate remorse and ask for forgiveness. Moreover, the NP stands a chance of legal action because this act is deemed as out of court settlement.

Strategies to Guide Decision Making

In this scenario, the NP made a mistake by failing to consider medical history of patient and prescribing controlled substance without being mindful of the potential occurrence of adverse effects. Therefore, if I was the advanced practice nurse, I would have conducted a detailed patient examination and consider the patient history to guide my action while prescribing the medication. Besides, the other strategy is to strictly rely on the Texas laws and regulations on prescription of controlled substance to guide decision making. For instance, I would work in collaboration with physician since NPs in Texas operates under restricted practice where they are required to form an agreement with supervising physician to be able to prescribe controlled substances (Lyapustina et al., 2016).

The Process of Writing Prescriptions Including Strategies to Minimize Medication Errors

Before writing prescription, it is advisable for the advanced nurse practitioner to first perform patient evaluation, diagnosis to identify the correct medical condition and the best medication for the condition. Consequently, according to Volpe, Melo, Aguiar, Pinho and Stival (2016), while providing hand written prescription, vital information such as date, patient’s name, address, and date of birth should be indicated. On the other hand, the prescriber’s name, contacts, and address should also be captured. Importantly, the medication name and associated details such as mechanisms of administration and dosages should be clearly stated.

References

Lyapustina, T., Rutkow, L., Chang, H. Y., Daubresse, M., Ramji, A. F., Faul, M., & Alexander, G. C. (2016). Effect of a “pill mill” law on opioid prescribing and utilization: the case of Texas. Drug and alcohol dependence, 159, 190-197.

Rossi, P. H., Lipsey, M. W., & Henry, G. T. (2018). Evaluation: A systematic approach. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Volpe, C. R. G., Melo, E. M. M. D., Aguiar, L. B. D., Pinho, D. L. M., & Stival, M. M. (2016). Risk factors for medication errors in the electronic and manual prescription. Revista latino-americana de enfermagem, 24.

Westrick, S. J., & Jacob, N. (2016). Disclosure of errors and apology: Law and ethics. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 12(2), 120-126.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Caiaimage

As an advanced practice nurse prescribing drugs, you are held accountable for people’s lives every day. Patients and their families will often place trust in you because of your position. With this trust comes power and responsibility, as well as an ethical and legal obligation to “” It is important that you are aware of current professional, legal, and ethical standards for advanced practice nurses with prescriptive authority. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the treatment plans and administration/prescribing of drugs is in accordance with the regulations of the state in which you practice. Understanding how these regulations may affect the prescribing of certain drugs in different states may have a significant impact on your patient’s treatment plan. In this Assignment, you explore ethical and legal implications of scenarios and consider how to appropriately respond.

To Prepare

Review the Resources for this module and consider the legal and ethical implications of prescribing prescription drugs, disclosure, and nondisclosure.
Review the scenario assigned by your Instructor for this Assignment.
Search specific laws and standards for prescribing prescription drugs and for addressing medication errors for your state or region, and reflect on these as you review the scenario assigned by your Instructor.
Consider the ethical and legal implications of the scenario for all stakeholders involved, such as the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and patient’s family.
Think about two strategies that you, as an advanced practice nurse, would use to guide your ethically and legally responsible decision-making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose any medication errors.
By Day 7 of Week 1

Write a 2- to 3-page paper that addresses the following:

Explain the of the scenario you selected on all stakeholders involved, such as the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and patient’s family.
Describe strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario you selected. Be sure to reference laws specific to your state.
Explain two strategies that you, as an advanced practice nurse, would use to guide your decision making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose your error. Be sure to justify your explanation.
Explain the process of writing prescriptions, including strategies to minimize medication errors.
Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The College of Nursing Writing Template with Instructions provided at the Walden Writing Center offers an example of those required elements (available at https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates/general#s-lg-box-20293632). All papers submitted must use this formatting.

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
Click the Week 1 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
Click the Week 1 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 1 Assignment Rubric

Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity

To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:

Submit your Week 1 Assignment draft and review the originality report.

Submit Your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 1

To participate in this Assignment:

Week 1 Assignment

What’s Coming Up in Module 2?

Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

In the next module, you will examine the impact of changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes on patient drug therapy for cardiovascular disorders and the types of drugs prescribed to patients with respiratory disorders.

Looking Ahead: Week 2 Assignment

In Week 2, your Instructor will assign you a case study related to Assignment 1 by Day 1 of the week. Please make sure to review the “Course Announcements” area of the course to verify your assigned case study. Please plan ahead to ensure you have time to review your case study and Learning Resources in order to complete your Assignment on time.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Next Week

To go to the next week:

Module 2

Module 2: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

What’s Happening This Module?

Module 2: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems is a 2-week module, Weeks 2 and 3 of the course. In this module, you will examine how patient factors may influence pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes of pharmacotherapeutics used in the treatment of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. You will also explore and suggest drug therapy plans for asthma and analyze the stepwise approach for asthma treatment and management.

What do I have to do?
When do I have to do it?
Review your Learning Resources
Days 1-7, Weeks 2 and 3
Assignment 1: Pharmacotherapy for Cardiovascular Disorders
Submit your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 2.
Assignment 2: Asthma and Stepwise Management
Submit your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 3.
Go to the Week’s Content

Week 2

Week 3

Week 2: Cardiovascular System

Alterations of the cardiovascular system can cause serious adverse events and may lead to death when not treated in a timely and safe manner. Unfortunately, many patients with cardiovascular disorders are unaware until complications appear. In clinical settings, patients often present with symptoms of several cardiovascular disorders, making it essential for you, as the advanced practice nurse, to be able to recognize these symptoms and recommend appropriate drug treatment options.

This week, you examine the impact of patient factors that may lead to changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes on patient drug therapy for cardiovascular disorders. You also explore ways to improve drug therapy plans for cardiovascular disorders based on patient factors and overall health needs.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Analyze the influence of patient factors on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes
Analyze the impact of changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes on patient drug therapies
Evaluate drug therapy plans for cardiovascular disorders

Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Rosenthal, L. D., & Burchum, J. R. (2021). Lehne’s pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants (2nd ed.) St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

Chapter 33, “Review of Hemodynamics” (pp. 285–289)
Chapter 37, “Diuretics” (pp. 290–296)
Chapter 38, “Drugs Acting on the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System” (pp. 297–307)
Chapter 39, “Calcium Channel Blockers” (pp. 308–312)
Chapter 40, “Vasodilators” (pp. 313–317)
Chapter 41, “Drugs for Hypertension” (pp. 316–324)
Chapter 42, “Drugs for Heart Failure” (pp. 325–336)
Chapter 43, “Antidysrhythmic Drugs” (pp. 337–348)
Chapter 44, “Prophylaxis of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Drugs That Help Normalize Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels” (pp. 349–363)
Chapter 45, “Drugs for Angina Pectoris” (pp. 364–371)
Chapter 46, “Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Drugs” (pp. 372–388)

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

Cardiovascular Disorders

Meet Dr. Norbert Myslinski as he discusses ACE inhibitors, angiotensin inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics as different categories of hypertension drugs. What potential drugs might be best recommended for patients suffering from hypertension? (8m)

Rubric Detail

Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout.

Name: NURS_6521_Week1_Assignment_Rubric
Grid View
List View
Excellent Good Fair Poor
Explain the ethical and legal implications of the scenario you selected on all stakeholders involved such as the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and the patient’s family.
23 (23%) – 25 (25%)
The response accurately and thoroughly explains in detail the ethical and legal implications of the scenario selected on all stakeholders involved.

The response includes accurate, clear, and detailed explanations as to how these implications affect the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and the patient’s family.
20 (20%) – 22 (22%)
The response explains the ethical and legal implications of the scenario selected on all stakeholders involved.

The response includes accurate explanations as to how these implications affect the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and the patient’s family.
18 (18%) – 19 (19%)
The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the ethical and legal implications of the scenario selected for all stakeholders involved.

The response includes vague explanations as to how these implications affect the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and the patient’s family.
0 (0%) – 17 (17%)
The response vaguely and inaccurately explains the ethical and legal implications of the scenario selected for all stakeholders involved, or the response is missing.

The response vaguely and inaccurately explains how these implications affect the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and the patient’s family, or is missing.
Describe strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario selected. Be sure to reference laws specific to your state.
18 (18%) – 20 (20%)
An accurate, detailed, and clear description of strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario selected is provided.

The response includes specific, detailed, and accurate reference to state laws related to the scenario.
16 (16%) – 17 (17%)
An accurate description of strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario selected is provided.

The response includes accurate reference to state laws related to the scenario.
14 (14%) – 15 (15%)
A vague or inaccurate description of strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario selected is provided.

The response includes inaccurate or vague reference to state laws related to the scenario.
0 (0%) – 13 (13%)
A vague and inaccurate description of strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario selected is provided, or is missing.

The response includes vague and inaccurate reference to state laws related to the scenario, or is missing.
Explain two strategies that you, as an advanced practice nurse would use to guide your decision making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose your error. Be sure to justify your explanation.
18 (18%) – 20 (20%)
The response accurately and thoroughly explains in detail at least two strategies that an advanced practice nurse would use to guide decision making in the scenario.

The response accurately and completely explains whether they would disclose the error, including an accurate, detailed, and clear justification for the explanation provided.
16 (16%) – 17 (17%)
The response accurately explains at least two strategies that an advanced practice nurse would use to guide decision making in the scenario.

The response accurately explains whether they would disclose the error, including an accurate justification for the explanation provided.
14 (14%) – 15 (15%)
The response inaccurately or vaguely explains at least two strategies that an advanced practice nurse would use to guide decision making in the scenario, or only explains one strategy.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains whether they would disclose the error, including a justification that is vague, inaccurate, or misaligned to the explanation provided.
0 (0%) – 13 (13%)
The response inaccurately and vaguely explains only one strategy that an advanced practice nurse would use to guide decision making in the scenario, or is missing.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains whether they would disclose the error, with no justification provided, or is missing.
Explain the process of writing prescriptions including strategies to minimize medication errors.
18 (18%) – 20 (20%)
The response provides an accurate, detailed, and thorough explanation of the process of writing prescriptions, including detailed strategies to minimize medication errors.
16 (16%) – 17 (17%)
The response provides an accurate explanation of the process of writing prescriptions, including some strategies to minimize medication errors.
14 (14%) – 15 (15%)
The response provides an inaccurate or vague explanation of the process of writing prescriptions, including inaccurate or vague strategies to minimize medication errors.
0 (0%) – 13 (13%)
The response provides an inaccurate and vague explanation of the process of writing prescriptions, including inaccurate and vague strategies to minimize medication errors, or is missing.
Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:
Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance.
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity.
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%–79% of the time.
0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity less than 60% of the time.
Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards:
Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1–2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3–4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding
Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, running head, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct APA format with no errors
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1–2) APA format errors
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3–4) APA format errors
0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors
Total Points: 100
Name: NURS_6521_Week1_Assignment_Rubric

NURS-6521 BREAKDOWN – SPRING 2022

Hello!

Welcome to Advanced Pharmacology. I am glad that I get to go along with you through this course. I know that I will learn from you, and hopefully, I will be able to pass on some of my experiences to you. I realize that some of you may be overwhelmed at the thought of the amount of material that we will be covering.  You might be saying “It is so much information in a short period of time!” “How will I ever get all of the work done?” The amount of material can be daunting, but remember, I am here to help you and make sure that everyone gets the most out of this class that they can.

You may have looked at the rubric regarding grading for both the Discussion posts as well as the Assignments that will be done during this course. I do follow both of these grading schematics. What I am looking for in both is as follows:

1. Content is very important to me, so I want you to make sure that your posts and writings for assignments are substantial and are from credible sources (i.e., textbook, publications, etc.). Sources such as drugs.com, Medscape.com, etc., can be used, but they CANNOT be the only sources you have. The latter are set up as information sites only and will not always be accurate.

2. In your discussions, as well as assignments, you should be focusing on the medication parts of the assignment. This is a pharmacology class, so I want you to be researching how the disease is treated, why those treatments the best for the specific disease state, what complications come from treatment, how to avert possible problems with treatment, how to deal with comorbidities during treatments, etc. This is not all inclusive, but some of the things I want you to be thinking about. This will help ensure that you will get the most out of this class and sharpen your reasoning skills as to why certain treatments are used once you are in practice.

3. Just because a Discussion post is longer, does not mean it is better in my estimation. I want you to be able to find the correct information and efficiently write your thoughts and opinions. Your assignments will be assessed in the same manner. The syllabus states that the assignments should be 2-3 pages, and you MUST adhere to this. I have multiple sections that I am teaching, and a 10-page paper is not necessary, and slows the efficiency of being able to get your works graded and back to you. There should be no reason that your thoughts, if written well, can’t be done in the 2-3-page limit!

4. If a discussion or assignment calls for a scenario that is assigned by me, I will post it in the announcement for that week. All of my announcements for the upcoming week come on the Sunday before the week starts.

Exams – You will have a midterm exam and a final exam. I will let you know when a review document has been posted in the resources so that you have access to this. The exams open on the Monday of the Week 7 for the midterm and Monday of Week 11 for the final. I cannot release them early, so please do not ask me to.

Grading – Grading is not a straight point total that you will see in your Blackboard. Each part of the class is weighted differently. The two exams are weighted differently, and in turn, have a bigger effect on your grade. Please refer to the grading part of the syllabus for a full explanation on this.

I do want you to know that I require professionalism for ALL interactions in the class, and this includes being on time with Discussions, as well as being present in the class 3 DIFFERENT DAYS OF THE WEEK and responding to 2 DIFFERENT CLASSMATES. You will find that I ask a lot of questions. This is not intended to give you more busy work, but instead, to pose critical thinking topics for you to research and learn more about so that you are better versed when you get into practice. I appreciate you answering the questions that I pose, as I think they do help in your learning. I really want everyone to interact with one another, so you MUST respond to at least 2 different classmates during the week. We learn best by not knowing everything, but using our knowledge, as well as our colleagues to treat our patients effectively and safely.

I do not think it is fair to post discussions or turn in assignments late, or not participate to the amount required in the syllabus. I urge you to be on time so that unnecessary points are not deducted. The goal of this class is to master the information, and if you are not participating, that will not happen.

Lastly, please use the discussion posts for their intended purpose. For example, the Contact the Instructor Discussion Board is for asking questions that pertain to the class and alerting me of things that may be beneficial to the class in general. THIS IS NOT A FORUM FOR PERSONAL ISSUES. I have had past students use this to describe why they did not get an assignment in on time, and this is not acceptable. If you need to contact me regarding a personal problem, the best way, and most efficient is through my email.

Assignments:

These MUST be turned in on time!

Note: If there is an emergency/life event that comes up, I will work with you, but I need to be made aware of these occurrences as soon as you know about them.

You will get out of this class what you put into it, and I am here to help guide you and make sure that you have a firm and definite understanding of Pharmacology.

As stated above, the best way to get a hold of me is by email. I have multiple sections that I am teaching, so when writing to me YOU MUST include the section number of the class you are in or your email may not be answered in a timely manner. This allows me to go to your specific section more efficiently.

EXAMPLE Email: From: nathan.wende1@mail.waldenu.edu

To: Professor Wende

Subject: NURS-6521-43: Question regarding last discussion post (Please include your section number!!)

Dear Professor:

On my last discussion….

I am excited to have you in class and am looking forward to learning from you and your experiences.