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Publication The Rise of Cesarean Sections(Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, 2010-06-14) Spaeth, TracyThis paper will review the ethical implications of elective cesarean sections, specifically the issues of patient autonomy and beneficence/nonmaleficence, and how they relate to cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR).Publication State Mandated Childhood School Entry Immunizations: A Public Safety Issue(Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, 2010-06-14) Smith, Mallorie K.Diseases, like Polio, Pertussis, and Measles, are still endemic to certain areas of the world. It is important to understand that shifts in vaccination status among our children can have dire effects on the health of our country; or, as Salmon and Siegel (2001) state, “history tells us that such a shift can result in resurgence of disease and needless morbidity and mortality” (p. 294). These diseases can still be transmitted and infect those in this country. This paper will explain the importance of immunization in personal health as well as public health. It will also focus on why the state governments can, and should, step in to mandate that children are receiving the required immunizations to help protect themselves as well as those that are exempt for medical reasons. This is an important issue due to the increasing popularity of children who are not being vaccinated due to nonmedical exemptions.Publication Adolescent Sexual Health Education(Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, 2010-06-14) Moyer, JennaThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the two conflicting methods of adolescent sex education and to identify the viewpoints established by each side. The author will explore the impact of sex education on the health and sexual practices of adolescents. The government’s involvement in support and funding of sex education programs will also be reviewed.Publication Physician-Assisted Suicide: Right to Life or Right to Death?(Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, 2010-06-14) Ku, SarahIn 1997 the Death with Dignity Act was implemented in the state of Oregon. This piece of legislation enables a competent adult who desires to end their life access to a lethal dose of medication. In order for a person to qualify for assisted suicide under this act, they must be 18 years or older, a resident of Oregon, able to verbalize and understand the consequences of their decision, have a prognosis of six months or less to live due to a terminal illness, and convince a physician of their desire to end their life (Volker, 2007). Although the Death with Dignity Act empowers individuals to control the timing of their death, physician assisted suicide still remains a controversial topic in today’s society that raises many ethical questions. These questions include: Who is the true owner of our lives? Should relieving suffering always be the highest priority or does suffering occur for a reason? Is suicide a purely individual choice (Mathes, 2004)? The answers to the above questions are subjective, yet healthcare workers deal with the difficult issues associated with end-of-life care on a daily basis. Since patients and families frequently ask nurses to provide information about support in dying, it is important for nurses to thoroughly understand the topic of physician assisted suicide regardless of whether it is legally permitted within the State where they are working (Ersek, 2004). The purpose of this paper is to describe benefits and disadvantages of assisted suicide and to discuss the ethical reasoning behind both of these opposing viewpoints.Publication Pediatric Cochlear Implants: Medical Miracle or Cultural Genocide?(Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, 2010-06-14) Heffley, HollyHearing is a complex sense that is paramount to a child’s cognitive, linguistic, and social development. In the United States, nearly 20 million people and 3 out of every 1,000 children are born deaf or hard-of-hearing every year. As of April 2009, 25,500 children in the United States have received cochlear implants (National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders, 2009). The cochlear implant is a surgically implanted device that bypasses the outer ear and is directly inserted into the cochlea. The implant electrically stimulates the auditory nerve fibers, which translate impulses into sound (Berg, Herb, & Hurst, 2005). This breakthrough technology was first approved for trial in 1985 and approved by the FDA for surgical implantation in children two years or older in 1990 (Berg et al., 2005). The invention of this device was viewed as a miracle by the medical community for the ability to cure the deaf. However, to the deaf community, the cochlear implant was a direct attack against deaf culture. With the use of cochlear implants, it is feared that the deaf way of life will disappear. Due to the success of implantation, the criteria have broadened to consider children as young as 18 months and at various testing centers, only 6 months (Berg et al., 2005). This puts parents in a unique position of deciding what is in the best interests of the deaf child. Pediatric nursing is likely to see an increase in patients undergoing cochlear implant surgery due to the rise in technology, and it is imperative for nurses to understand the implications, both physical and mental, of this controversial procedure. This controversy has created an ethical dilemma between the deaf cultures ability to thrive, paternalism, and acting in the best interests of the child. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implications of pediatric cochlear implantation.Publication Legal and Ethical Considerations on Consent for Minors(Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, 2010-06-14) Fogleman, ChristyHealthcare providers must obtain consent before performing any procedure or providing treatment to an individual. The defining lines of consent begin to gray when a child shows competency and understanding of a treatment or procedure and has different wishes than their guardians. This raises many legal and ethical dilemmas for healthcare providers who must determine which decision to uphold. This paper will examine the definition of a minor and the legal and ethical challenges associated with who has permission to give consent for a child of minor age.Publication Female Circumcision(Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, 2010-06-14) Barbagiovanni, ClaudiaHealth care professionals have a duty to provide culturally competent care to individuals of diverse backgrounds. Despite the legal and ethical questions surrounding female circumcision, every individual is entitled to the same care and respect. Learning about the cultural beliefs and practices behind this tradition is mandatory to providing culturally competent care. The purpose of this paper is to educate the healthcare workforce about female circumcision and establish a culturally competent foundation for serving patients. Understanding the beliefs of a particular culture allows for the establishment of a respectful, nonjudgmental and trusting relationship between the provider and their patient.Publication Editorial(Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, 2010-06-14) Martin, DavidWelcome to this Fourth volume of The Journal of Undergraduate Nursing Writing. This journal is a compilation of original articles written by senior nursing students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Kansas School of Nursing. The articles presented in this volume originated as assignments given in the students’ senior level classes. The original call for papers did not limit their entries to any particular classes but all papers received came from the Populations or Legal/Ethical Nursing courses. Thus the content represented here deals with legal, ethical, or population issues.Publication The Journal of Undergraduate Nursing Writing Vol. 4, No. 1, July 2010(Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, 2010-06-14) Martin, David; Barbagiovanni, Claudia; Fogleman, Christy; Heffley, Holly; Ku, Sarah; Moyer, Jenna; Smith, Mallorie K.; Spaeth, TracyWelcome to this Fourth volume of The Journal of Undergraduate Nursing Writing. This journal is a compilation of original articles written by senior nursing students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Kansas School of Nursing. The articles presented in this volume originated as assignments given in the students’ senior level classes. The original call for papers did not limit their entries to any particular classes but all papers received came from the Populations or Legal/Ethical Nursing courses. Thus the content represented here deals with legal, ethical, or population issues. Contents: Female Circumcision - Barbagiovanni, C. Legal and Ethical Considerations on Consent for Minors - Fogleman, C. Pediatric Cochlear Implants: Medical Miracle or Cultural Genocide? - Heffley, H. Physician Assisted Suicide: Right to Life or Right to Death? - Ku, S. Adolescent Sexual Health Education - Moyer, J. State Mandated Childhood School Entry Immunizations: A Public Safety Issue - Smith, M K. The Rise of Cesarean Sections - Spaeth, T