Kenyatta University Natural Birth Discussion

Select one of the following client situations. For that client situation, please address the following:

• Identify one ethical principle that directly applies to the client.
• Explain two nursing interventions that would comply with ethical and legal standards when caring for the client. 

Client Situation One

You are caring for a mother and infant. The mother delivered a healthy baby at term, but her HIV status is positive. The mother has been taking anti-retroviral agents during her pregnancy as ordered. After the birth of the infant, the baby is begun on anti-retroviral therapy. When the father of the baby goes down to the cafeteria, the mother confides in the RN that her partner is unaware of her HIV status. It is important to her that you keep this information confidential and she asks you to tell the other nurses that they need to be silent on this topic. She does not want you to say what type of medication you are administering to the infant so that you do not disclose her HIV status. She asks you to state that acetaminophen is being administered for comfort if her husband asks.

OR 

Client Situation Two

You are caring for a client in active labor.  The client and her partner have expressed their desire for a natural birth and have declined medical interventions such as IV placement and continuous fetal monitoring.  The client did consent to intermittent fetal monitoring.  During the period of fetal monitoring, the RN notes repetitive late deceleration and fetal bradycardia of 90 BPM.  The RN receives orders to initiate an IV Stat, and to prepare the client for an immediate cesarean section.The client declines to have the IV started and states she wants time to discuss the cesarean with her partner.