Reference no: EM132292271

Problem Solving Exercise

Ning is a registered nurse who works for Queensland Health in a school-based youth health-nurse program where young registered nurses are placed in secondary schools to work with students, staff and parents. Nurses such as Ning promote health and wellbeing, and connect students with other health services if required.

A 16 year old female student called Sabrina has been seeing Ning on a regular basis. Sabrina is a quiet student who does not appear to have a strong friendship group. Often she just wants to chat. Ning is comfortable seeing Sabrina alone and providing her with advice about her health as she has been assessed as Gillick competent. However, Ning has been a little concerned about Sabrina's mental health lately as she seems down and disillusioned with school. On this particular day, Sabrina looks very tired and concerned. After a short discussion, Sabrina discloses to Ning that she thinks she might be pregnant. Ning listens as Sabrina describes her symptoms and notes she has not had a period for three months. Ning conducts a pregnancy test based on a urine sample provided by Sabrina and it reads positive. Sabrina becomes quite agitated and upset when Ning advises her that she has produced a positive sample. Sabrina knows who the father is, but discloses only that it is a boy at her school and gives no further information.

Ning suggests that she call Sabrina's parents and, together, they can work out how things should progress, but Sabrina looks horrified and refuses. When Ning asks why Sabrina says,‘Dad will kill me. Look what he did when I broke a glass the other night. I can't imagine what he will do if he finds out I'm pregnant!'

Sabrina raises her shirt sleeves to reveal three large bruises on her upper body. Ning assesses that it would have taken a significant amount of force to inflict the bruises. She is quite shocked.

Sabrina continues,

‘Please Ning, you can't tell anyone about this. I can deal with it. I don't want my parents to know.'

Ning reassures Sabrina, provides advice about pregnancy care and nutrition and writes the name and contact details of an obstetrician on a slip of paper. However when Sabrina leaves she doesn't take the paper with the obstetrician's details on it.

Ning is very concerned about Sabrina's welfare. She is particularly worried that Sabrina is not safe at home, but feels she should contact Sabrina's mother to tell her about the pregnancy. She is concerned Sabrina will seek an abortion without receiving proper advice.

Apply the legal and ethical decision making framework to this scenario.

Attachment:- Problem Solving Exercise.rar