Final answer:
Tara, the nurse, should carefully consider the ethical implications and her facility's policies before accepting a watch as a gift from Farrell, the patient. Accepting expensive gifts can create a conflict of interest and breach professional boundaries, so she should either decline or follow the protocol of her workplace if it permits accepting modest gifts.
Step-by-step explanation:
In scenarios where a patient offers a gift to a healthcare professional like a nurse, it is essential to consider the ethical implications and the policies of the institution.
Nurses should adhere to the code of ethics that typically govern their professional conduct, which often includes guidelines on accepting gifts from patients.
Some institutions may prohibit the acceptance of gifts altogether or require that gifts above a certain value be declined or reported. The concern is about maintaining professional boundaries and preventing any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest.
If Tara mentions wanting a new watch and then Farrell presents her with one, the best course of action for Tara would be to consult her facility's policies.
If the policy permits accepting small tokens of appreciation and the watch is of modest value, she could potentially accept it after ensuring that it will not affect the care she provides.
However, if the gift is expensive, accepting it could be seen as unprofessional or as if Farrell is attempting to influence the care he receives. In such a case, it would be advisable for Tara to politely decline the gift.
In summary, professional boundaries and institutional policies must be considered before accepting any gifts from patients. It is important to handle such situations with transparency and to prioritize the integrity of the nurse-patient relationship.