Question

A 94-year-old woman is admitted to your hospital with dehydration, trouble breathing, and possible kidney failure. She is clearly in advanced Alzheimer's, weighs about 95 pounds, and shows multiple bruises on her body. She cannot talk. Her caregiver attributes the bruises to a blood disorder that reduces clotting. What are your thoughts about this situation? What kind of investigation would you conduct? What actions would you take to be in compliance with ethical principles?

Answer 1

Answer:

My first thoughts would be to take detailed notes of the elderly lady’s condition and report it to the correct authorities. I do not like to jump to conclusions before understanding the situation fully; however, it is always safe to report your findings and let the proper individuals investigate the case. “In almost all states there is a duty for the health care team to protect seniors by reporting instances of suspected abuse” (Grand Canyon University, 2010). There are blood disorders that cause individuals to bruise easier than others.