Ethics Case Study

Ethics Case Study

Amanda White

HCS 335

June 26, 2011

Gail Garren

Ethics Case Study

“Jerry McCall is Dr. William’s office assistant. He has received professional training as both a medical assistant and a LPN. He is handling all the phone calls while the receptionist is at lunch. A patient calls and says he must have a prescription refill for Valium, an antidepressant medication, called in right away to his pharmacy, since he is leaving for the airport in thirty minutes. He says that Dr. Williams is a personal friend and always gives him a small supply of Valium when he has to fly. No one except Jerry is in the office at this time.” (Fremgen, 2009 p. 85)

Jerry McCall has received training as both a medical assistant and a licensed practical nurse otherwise known as a LPN. To become a medical assistant Jerry has had at least two years of schooling at a community college or a vocational school. While in school Jerry would have learned about anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, typing, transcription, record keeping, accounting, and insurance processing. He would have also learned about laboratory procedures, clinical and diagnostic protocols, pharmaceutical principles, the administration of medicines, and first aid (allhealthcare, 2011). He could have also learned about office practices, patient relations, medical law, and ethics. Jerry may have received a certificate by passing the Certified Medical Assistant Examination offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (allhealthcare, 2011).

To become an LPN, Jerry would have had to complete a certified practical nursing program. These programs normally take one to two years to complete and are offered at community or technical schools. Jerry would have learned about anatomy, chemistry, obstetrics and other LPN responsibilities like CPR, taking blood pressure, administering medicine, and giving shots (LPNNursingSchools.net, n.d.). Once he graduated the program Jerry would have had to...