HLTENN008 Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice - Assessment 4 Case Study

Scenario one

Debbie Brooks is a 32-year-old hairdressing student who recently separated from her partner of six (6) years.  She is a patient in your short stay ward and is 12 weeks pregnant and is having an abortion today.  Debbie tells you she would like to have children in the future but wants to finish her hairdressing apprenticeship first which will take another three years.  She is aware that the older she is the harder it will be to have a baby. You are aware that getting pregnant after the age of 35 is difficult and that even then these women often have high risk pregnancies with complications.  Debbie’s former partner lives in your street and you occasionally say hi to one another.

Question 4

What should you do as a nurse caring for Debbie, to ensure she receives the right to care, if her decision to have an abortion conflicts with your personal moral beliefs? (1 mark)
What framework/guidelines might you use to assist you in your decision making and where will you find these? (2 marks)