FOCUS FORDEBATE: ETHICAL ISSUES RELATED TO ADOLESCENT
ABORTION
Kelly, age 16 years, has come to a clinic where you work as a nurse. She states that she is at least 12 weeks pregnant but has not told anyone, not even her parents or boyfriend. She is fearful of losing her boyfriend if she tells him.
She wants an abortion, has cash, and does not want anyone to knOw about the pregnancy or the abortion. The clinic is in a state that does not require direct parental involvement but does require consent by someone of legal age.
Explore the ethical issues and nursing strategies surrounding this situation with
Kelly.
Examine the trust-confidentiality-privacy issues, the consent process, autonomy,
and communication