A man declines intravenous antibiotics for a leg infection
NZ nursing OSCE practice station
Ethics, consent & capacity · 2 min to read · 8 min to perform
Pieter van der Berg, aged 58, has been admitted with cellulitis of his lower leg and the doctor has prescribed intravenous antibiotics.
Pieter van der BergI'm not having that drip. I'm going home, my wife needs me.
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Open the full station (charts, voice, result letter) →The task
You are the nurse on a medical ward. Pieter van der Berg, aged 58, has been admitted with cellulitis of his lower leg and the doctor has prescribed intravenous antibiotics. He tells you he wants to leave and will not have the drip. A health care assistant is nearby and a doctor can be reached by phone. Talk with Mr van der Berg, find out his reasons and check his understanding. Decide who you need to inform and plan what happens next.
What this station tests
- An adult is presumed competent; respect the right to refuse treatment.
- Find out the reason for refusal. It is often a practical barrier that can be solved.
- Give full information in plain words and check understanding with teach-back.
- Tell the doctor and nurse in charge, and offer alternatives and support such as a social worker.
- Give safety-net advice and an open door to return.
Sources for the clinical content
- Health and Disability Commissioner: Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights
- Healthify: cellulitis
- Alzheimers New Zealand
An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.