LWS101, Semester 2 2018
Assessment 2: Problem Solving Exercise
Due Date: Tuesday 18 September 2018 (note that you must submit your
assignment online, via the submission link, before midnight – late
submissions will not be marked and you will be awarded a grade of
0)
Weight: 40%
Maximum Work Limit 1600 words (this word limit includes all headings, in-text references,
direct quotes, sections of the Codes but excludes the reference list and any cover sheet). Please note
there is no 10% lee-way. Words exceeding the stipulated word count will not be taken into account.
Of course, you may submit with less than 1600 words.
Students must:
Not copy the facts of the question and include them in your assignment unnecessarily.
Identify the exact number of words in your problem solving exercise on the first page of your
assignment. If it is found that you have inaccurately recorded the total number of words, and
your assignment is found to be over the word limit, material contained in the body of the
assignment that appears over the word limit will not be marked.
Not exceed a word count of 1600 words. As noted about there is no leeway of 10% (except
that you can submit less than 1600 words). Words exceeding 1600 words will not be marked.
Reference in accordance with APA (see www.citewrite.qut.edu.au) for further information on
this referencing style) – but follow the style below for cases/legislation (see also the
assignment FAQ document).
Attach a complete reference list of sources (not included in the 1600 word limit) (see
www.citewrite.qut.edu.au for information on what should be included).
o Referencing Cases: When referencing cases in-text, you only need to include the name
of the case (e.g. Donoghue v Stevenson). In your reference list, you are required to
include the full legal citation (e.g. Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562).
Note: If cases are refe
ed to in textbooks, you will sometimes find the full
citations in the endnotes or footnotes of the relevant chapter of that text, or in
the table of cases at the beginning of the book.
o Referencing Legislation: To reference legislation in-text, you need to include the
name of the Act and section number (e.g. Coroners Act, s 43). In your reference list,
you need to use the full legal citation (e.g. Coroners Act 1958 (Qld)).
Note: If legislation is refe
ed to in textbooks, you will sometimes find the full
citation in the endnotes or footnotes of the relevant chapter of that text.
o Referencing the Codes: The Codes are published sources and therefore full references
must be provided for the Codes. See www.citewrite.qut.edu.au for details
(APA>Government and Corporate Documents>Professional Standard).
Not attach appendices to your problem solving exercise.
Use 12 pt, times new roman font with 1.5 spacing.
Please note:
Members of the LWS101 teaching team will not review drafts of the assignment.
http:
www.citewrite.qut.edu.au
http:
www.citewrite.qut.edu.au
http:
www.citewrite.qut.edu.au
Problem Solving Exercise Semester 2, 2018.
Andre, a 6 year old child, presents in the emergency department of a major Brisbane hospital
with his father, Boris. Andre presents with limited mobility in his right arm, swelling and an
open cut that looks to be a number days old. Boris informs staff that the injury was sustained
while Andre was playing and states he’s been too busy to come in with Andre any earlier.
Kimiko, a registered nurse assigned to Andre, notes that the child seems very withdrawn and
does not engage when asked questions. Kimiko proceeds to clean and dress his wound and
check his general health. While taking Andre’s blood pressure, Kimiko observes some older
uises on Andre’s upper arms and shoulders. Kimiko also observes that Andre’s temperature
is raised and his colour is poor.
The treating team recommend an x-ray to check if there are any
oken bones. Boris agrees to
this. While waiting for the results, Kimiko overhears Boris speaking to Andre in a stern voice
saying ‘Don’t you dare tell your mother or anyone else what happened or you will cop it, do
you understand?’
The x-ray shows no fractured bones. However the treating team determine that the wound in
Andre’s arm is severely infected and advise Boris that a course of antibiotics should begin
immediately. It is unclear whether his infected arm is the single cause of Andre’s raised
temperature or whether he has an underlying condition. It is recommended that further tests be
ca
ied out. Boris refuses to consent to further tests saying that his son is just being a ‘big cry
aby’ and that he will be fine. He also refuses to consent to Andre receiving antibiotics for his
wound stating, ‘I never had antibiotics when I was a child and I’m fine.’
Kimiko is concerned that Andre’s health will suffer significantly if Boris does not consent to
further tests and antibiotics for his son.
Apply the legal and ethical decision-making framework to this scenario.
Problem solving exercise LWS101
Please note tutors, lecturers and the coordinator will not answer questions relating to the
content of the problem solving exercise to be fair to all students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it enough that I identify the relevant parts of the ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses, Code of
Conduct for Nurses, and the ethical and legal principles?
Please refer to the CRA for this particular piece of assessment. You will note that we emphasise
application of the ethics/law to the facts of the scenario. You need to provide an argument about
why a particular ethical principle, for example, is relevant and applicable to the scenario. You need
to go beyond, for example, saying the patient is vulnerable – in what particular ways is the patient
vulnerable in the context of the scenario?
What is included in the word count?
The word count includes all headings, in-text references, direct quotes, sections of the Codes but
excludes the reference list and any cover sheet. Words in excess of the word count will not be
taken into account. The law school does not allow for an additional 10% leeway. You may submit
under the word count.
Do I need to find legal cases or legislation to complete this assessment?
This is not a research assignment. You are not required to find and read cases or to find and read
legislation. Use the lecture materials, tutorial materials and textbook. Bear in mind that we have
provided you with all relevant Queensland law in the lectures and tutorials and you must apply
elevant Queensland law.
Do I need to access journal articles to complete this assessment?
This is not a research assignment. You are not required to find and read journal articles. Use the
lecture materials, tutorial materials and the text book.
Am I required to have an introduction or conclusion?
This is a problem based assessment and you are directed to apply the ethical decision-making
framework to a scenario. You should not present this in essay form and so there is no need for an
introduction and conclusion – use the structure of the ethical decision-making framework to guide
the structure of your answer.
I can’t fit everything into 1600 words
This is a problem based question to which you are applying a decision-making framework. It is not
an essay. You are expected to be succinct in your answers and confine yourself to addressing the
issues raised by the problem. You do need to write in complete sentences, with appropriate
spelling and grammar, (see the CRA) but you may use bullet points (where appropriate), short
sentences and so on.
Will there only be one issue?
There may be more than one issue raised by the problem scenario and you need to identify and
apply the Codes, ethical principles and law to all issues and come up with actions and an
implementation strategy for all issues. Please also note that the issues raised in the problem might
not be confined to one topic. Read the question carefully noting the directions on the assignment.
Do I need to include the complete wording of an element of the code of ethics or domain or
principle from the code of conduct in my assignment?
The word count is 1600 words for the individual exercise so you do not have the space to include
the full wording. So you could:
Quote the relevant part and relate it to the facts
(E.g. Element 1 Code of Ethics: In providing care, the nurse promotes … the values customs
and spiritual beliefs of the individual … In treating Amy, the nurse must respect her values
and belief in not wanting to have a blood transfusion.
Paraphrase in your own words and relate it to the facts
(E.g. In the Code of Ethics, Element 1 notes that nurses must respect the values, customs
and spiritual beliefs of their patients. The nurse must respect Amy’s values and belief in
not wanting to have a blood transfusion; or
Combine the identification and justification into the same sentence.
(E.g. Code of Ethics Element 1: The nurse must respect the values, customs and spiritual
eliefs of a patient like Amy who does not wish to have a blood transfusion.
How many references do I need?
There is no prescribed number of references that are required. You must comply with the
eferencing guidelines found at www.citewrite.qut.edu.au. However see below for referencing
legislation and cases.
How do I reference legislation?
To reference legislation in-text, you need to include the name of the Act and section number e.g.
(Coroners Act, s 43).
In your reference list, you need to use the full legal citation i.e. Coroners Act 1958 (Qld). Even if
you cite various sections of the Act in text, in the reference list you only need to list the Act on