Reference no: EM133420713

Assignment:

Ethics ISSUE 1:

"Herd immunity" is one of the primary considerations for mandatory vaccinations in the United States. That is, when a large segment of the population is inoculated against certain infectious diseases, individuals-both vaccinated and unvaccinated-benefit the community as a whole. A valid mandate for vaccinating all schoolchildren in the United States has not been enacted since World War I. Today, all states allow medical exceptions for children who have HIV, are undergoing organ transplants, are allergic to eggs used in preparing some vaccines, or for other medical reasons. Nearly every state also has exceptions that allow parents to exempt their children from state vaccination requirements based on religious, philosophical, moral, or other personal beliefs. Recent epidemics of childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, and pertussis in the United States indicate that objections to mandatory vaccinations have increased.

Discussion Questions

1. In your opinion, does a parent's failure to vaccinate his or her child constitute a lack of social responsibility? Explain your answer.
2. Should one's concern for others supersede objections to vaccination on personal or religious grounds? Explain your answer.
3. Should your role as a health care practitioner include encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated? Explain your answer.
4. As a health care practitioner, are you ethically bound to be vaccinated for common contagious diseases?

Ethics ISSUE 2:

A young woman is diagnosed with an STI and is subsequently reported to the public health department. A public health nurse visits her but refuses to name her sexual contacts.

Discussion Questions

1. Should the woman be compelled by law to name her sexual contacts? Why or why not? Do the best interests of the woman's sexual contacts and their contacts supersede the woman's right to privacy? Explain your answer.
2. What values are involved in Ethics Issue 2?
3. What is the first duty of health care practitioners caring for woman in Ethics Issue 2?

Ethics ISSUE 3:

Laws that require the reporting of cases of suspected domestic abuse of adults under the age of 60 often creates a dilemma for health care practitioners. The parties involved, both the suspected offenders and the victims, will often plead that the matter be kept confidential and not be disclosed or reported for investigation by public authorities.

Discussion Questions

1. Assume you are a member of the health care team that has repeatedly treated a woman for injuries that appear to have been inflicted by another. How might you phrase an opening question to learn whether or not she is the victim of abuse?

2. If the woman protests that she is simply "accident prone," how might you phrase your response? Would you drop the matter at this point or continue to question the woman?

3. What could you do to protect the woman if she does not admit abuse, but you are reasonably sure that she is being abused?