Your task in Assessment 2 is to analyse the legal and professional issues that arise in each scenario. You need to demonstrate that you have engaged in reflection and critical analysis of the legal and professional issues that you have identified

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Assignment Two – NSG2HEL: Healthcare Ethics and Law Elective Page 1 of 2
School of Nursing & Midwifery, College of Science, Health & Engineering, La Trobe University – 2019
Assessment Two: Exploration of Legal & Professional Issues
 Mr W, a male, 35 years of age, has slipped and fallen on the pavement outside a bar and
sustained a large laceration to his left temple without LOC. The patient presents to the
emergency department alert but slightly confused and unsteady on his feet although without
significant findings other than the significant laceration and minor bruises and abrasions. His
speech is also slurred, and he readily admits to drinking 10 beers during the last few hours. The
emergency department is very busy, and Mr W becomes impatient because of the wait. Mr W
wishes to leave, but is urged by the ED staff to wait as he will need stitches and ongoing
neurological observations, and is also told that he should not drive. Mr W becomes agitated and
states that he will not wait any longer and intends to drive himself home.
 Mrs. J, an 85-year-old woman with severe emphysema, is found unresponsive by the nursing
staff at her place of residence. Since she has no living will or advance directive, an ambulance is
called. She has no living relatives. Once stable, she is taken to the local hospital for treatment
of pneumonia and respiratory failure, where staff perform endotracheal intubation and
resuscitate her successfully. After treatment for her medical conditions, she cannot be weaned
from the ventilator although sedation has been minimised. The patient is able to communicate
her wishes by using hand signals and writing notes. After 9 days of treatment, she asks that the
respiratory support be discontinued and she be allowed to die. Mrs. J. states that she would not
have wanted to be resuscitated in the first place. She had discussed this wish with the other
residents in the aged care facility however she had never put these wishes in writing.
 RN H is a medical ward nurse who loves classical music. One of her patients, Mr B, is also an avid
music lover, and they often discuss classical composers they enjoy and their favourite recordings.
Mr B offers to lend RN H a couple of CDs he has with him and she happily takes him up on the
offer.
Upon returning the CDs, Mr B offers to thank RN H for the care she has provided by giving her
tickets to accompany him to a local performance by one of their favourite artists once Mr B is
discharged from hospital.
 Patient A is a 17 year old female who has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). She has
undergone several rounds of chemotherapy without successfully going into remission. Her
treatment now is focused on palliation. She is refusing to have any further chemotherapy
however her parents insist that she does.
Assignment Two – NSG2HEL: Healthcare Ethics and Law Elective Page 2 of 2
School of Nursing & Midwifery, College of Science, Health & Engineering, La Trobe University – 2019
Assessment Guideline:
Recommended approach:
Your task in Assessment 2 is to analyse the legal and professional issues that arise in each scenario. You
need to demonstrate that you have engaged in reflection and critical analysis of the legal and professional
issues that you have identified.
 Ensure that the title page is correctly filled out with your student ID details.
 Provide an introduction and conclusion to your essay.
 Use headings and sub-headings in your paper to make your analysis clearer to the reader.
 Within the body of your work, analyse each scenario separately.
 Your analysis of each case should show:
– the relevant legal and professional issues;
– use of case information to demonstrate why these issues are relevant
– reference to relevant Victorian and Australian law and nursing documents;
– what you determine to be the correct legal and professional actions in these cases.
Due date: 0900 Monday 20th May, 2019.
2200 Words: 50% of available subject mark
Assignment to be submitted via the “Assessment Two” drop-box to be found in the ‘Assessments For
NSG2HEL Elective’ section on the LMS NSG2HEL site. Students are reminded to check the “Late
submission of Assessments” and “Request an extension of due date” sections in the NSG2HEL Subject
Learning Guide, 2019.