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.

The ethical and legal implications for prescribing medications (georgia)

Two strategies would guide me in making ethical and legal decisions as a nurse with advanced practice. The first strategy is to ensure that I am familiar with all relevant laws and regulations pertaining to medications as well as the organization’s policy on disclosing errors. I can then make an educated decision about the need to disclose the error based on its severity and any potential negative consequences to myself or the patient.

Second, engage in reflective practice. This involves examining all the ethical issues at hand, such as if revealing an error will cause further harm to either party. It also includes determining what action is best for maintaining patient confidentiality and autonomy. Additionally, consider any mitigating factors—such as if it was a genuine mistake made due to miscommunication or incorrect documentation—that may factor into how this dilemma should be addressed. No matter which path I take, being honest to myself and other parties involved, as well as making sure my choices are in accordance with the law, will allow me to ensure quality of care for everyone while maintaining my professionalism.