Question

Janice is a nurse on the orthopedics unit. This night, she is caring for five patients, as well as a new admission from the emergency department. While juggling patient care, she calls the on-call resident (house officer) about Mrs. Bernardo, who is in significant pain from a fractured hip. Janice hastily writes down the morphine order from the resident and is then called away when another patient falls out of bed. An hour later, she realizes, to her dismay, that she has not yet given Mrs. Bernardo her pain medication. When she rushes into the room, the patient is crying and asking, "Why won't someone help me?" Janice quickly administers the morphine.Why is it important for Janice to apologize to Mrs. Bernardo for the delay in her pain medication?

(A) It is not necessary to apologize in this case.
(B) An apology is needed to maintain provider-patient trust.
(C) All institutions require an apology.
(D) An apology will prevent the patient relations department from becoming involved.

Answer 1

Janice should apologize to Mrs. Bernardo to maintain provider-patient trust, acknowledge the distress caused by the delay, and demonstrate professional responsibility.

Step-by-step explanation:

Apologizing to Mrs. Bernardo is crucial for nurse-patient trust and acknowledges that a standard of care was not met. In healthcare situations, empathy and communication are vital for maintaining a therapeutic relationship. When Janice apologizes, it shows that she recognizes the importance of patient care and the distress caused by the delay, and it helps to repair the trust that may have been damaged.

Although an apology cannot reverse the pain Mrs. Bernardo experienced, it is a gesture of respect and acknowledgement of her suffering. Furthermore, an apology can demonstrate that Janice is taking responsibility for the oversight, reinforcing the professional standards to which she is held. It may also help prevent escalation of the issue to hospital administration or patient relations departments, as it shows a willingness to address mistakes proactively.