Overview
I need help with this homework. I attached the necessary documents with all the instructions and this is my classmate paragraph:
Maria Caridad Laferte HUM1800: Science, Technology, and Human Dr. Amanda Sheaffer Julio 14, 2026
After reading this case, what impacted me the most was that the doctors knew the patients were suffering and needed help, but many times they could not act because they were afraid of the abortion law(ProPublica, 2025). I think this situation was very sad because the patients needed medical care as soon as possible, and the delay made some of them even sicker(Jovel et al. (2021). According to reports, cases of sepsis increased by more than 50% during the second trimester after the law changed, showing how dangerous delayed medical treatment can be(ProPublica, 2025).If I had been Barnica’s nurse, I would have talked to the doctor right away and insisted that she receive treatment as soon as possible. I would not have left her alone. I would have stayed by her side, talked to her, supported her, and tried to help her feel calmer during such a difficult time. If necessary, I would have spoken with other members of the healthcare team to find a solution and make sure she received the best care possible(ProPublica, 2025).
As a future nurse, I believe that my main responsibility is to care for and protect my patients’ lives. I chose this profession because I want to help people when they need it the most. I think a good nurse should always act with responsibility, honesty, and respect. I also believe that nurses should always tell the truth to their patients, even when the situation is difficult, because patients have the right to know what is happening with their health(Fiala & MacKinnon, 2024, Chapter 3).
At the same time, I believe it is very important to respect every patient’s decisions. If a patient refuses a treatment because of religious beliefs or personal values, I would first explain the illness, the recommended treatment, the benefits, and the possible consequences of refusing it. After making sure the patient understands all the information, I would respect that decision. I would never force a patient to receive a treatment that they do not want(Fiala & MacKinnon, 2024, Chapter 3).
For me, beneficence means always doing what is best for the patient. Everything a nurse does should be focused on helping the patient, protecting their health, and improving their well-being. I also believe that deontology represents the way I think because I believe nurses have the duty to care for patients, tell the truth, and protect life. In addition, I think ethical relativism is important because every patient has different beliefs and values, and those differences should be respected as long as the patient makes an informed decision(Fiala & MacKinnon, 2024, Chapter 3).
After reading this case, I learned that nursing is not only about medical knowledge. It also requires ethics, compassion, respect, and good communication. I believe that science and respect for the patient should work together to provide the best possible care.
Question: What would you do if you were Barnica's nurse? Why?References
- Fiala, A., & MacKinnon, B. (2024). Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues (Chapter 3). Cengage Learning.
- Jovel, I. J., Upadhyay, U. D., & Roberts, S. C. M. (2021). Abortion waiting periods and decision certainty among people searching online for abortion care. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 138(4), 585–593. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000004313
- ProPublica. (2025). Texas abortion ban exceptions: Preventable deaths report. https://www.propublica.org/article/texas-abortion-ban-exceptions
- ProPublica. (2025). Texas abortion ban sepsis maternal mortality analysis. https://www.propublica.org/article/texas-abortion-ban-sepsis-maternal-mortality
- Whitlock, K., & Aoun, J. (2023). Jurisdictional moral discordance: Cross-state ethical asymmetry in reproductive healthcare. Journal of Bioethics and Health Policy, 22(4), 401–419.