Personal Reflection on Living at Risk

We face dangers no matter what stage of life we are experiencing. However, the degree of risk we face depends on the situation, what is at stake, and the probability of negative consequences (Young & Everett, 2018). When faced with dangers, it can be beneficial to conduct a risk assessment (Bouchal & Astle, 2019). An individual's self-determination typically guides this process as they evaluate the possible hazards, determine how they can be reduced, and appraise the outcomes of the interventions to decide if they were effective (Bouchal & Astle, 2019). A person has the freedom to decide on how they want to live their life and act autonomously by responding to certain instances based on their values (Shogren & Rifenbark, 2021). These values reflect what matters most to people and though we may disagree with one's decision, it is ultimately up to individual to decide their fate (Bouchal & Astle, 2019).

​As a nurse, we are expected to act accordingly to the code of ethics enforced by the CNA (Bouchal & Astle, 2019). Embedded in these morals is the idea of accountability which ultimately aims for injury prevention with our patients (Bouchal & Astle, 2019). To ensure Marion's self-determination is not liberated and to allow her son to continue following his dreams, a nurse can implement risk management techniques to reduce the chance of injury and promote safer outcomes (Bouchal & Astle, 2019). Though we do not want to see our loved ones suffer, risk is associated with many things we do (Young & Everett, 2018). Nurses and families should consider the adverse effects of taking away one's ability to participate in activities they enjoy and instead aim to reduce the foreseeable outcomes that could harm them.

References

Bouchal, S. R., & Astle, B. (2019). Nursing values and ethics. In P. A. Potter, A. G. Perry, P.A. Stockert, A.M. Hall, Wood, B.J. Astle, & W. Duggleby (Eds.), Canadian fundamentals of nursing (6th ed., pp. 87-100). Milton, ON: Elsevier Canada.

Shogren, K. A., Rifenbark, G. G., & Hagiwara, M. (2021). Self-determination assessment in adults with and without intellectual disability. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 59(1), 55–69. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-59.1.55

​Young, J., & Everett, B. (2018). When patients choose to live at risk: What is an ethical approach to intervention? BCMJ, 60(6), 314–318.