Renoa Blanche D.

Perlado BSN 1K
NCM 100 – Somera Case

1. What’s the court ruling in the Somera Case?

Ms. Somera received a one-year sentence for preparing a syringe containing 10% cocaine and
administering it to a 13-year-old girl during a tonsillectomy. Because the precise cause of death
could not be verified, the doctors were acquitted. Ms. Somera, on the other hand, was found
guilty of reckless homicide. The Filipino Nurses' Association petitioned the Supreme Court for a
pardon, claiming that nurses were educated to double-check medicine orders and never to
question the physician's order. The Supreme Court of the Philippines granted Ms. Somera a
conditional pardon after a significant public relations campaign by the nursing association and
the International Council of Nurses. The nursing association interpreted the court's decision as
"lift(ing) nursing from a subservient place to one of equality in responsibility and dignity with
that of the doctor."
2. Based on the case, why was Somera charged instead of the surgeons?
She was found guilty because she did not question the doctor's orders when he mentioned
cocaine instead of procaine. Nurses cannot rely just on what doctors say, they must be able to
determine whether or not the doctor's orders are legitimate.

3. What are your thoughts about it? What do you think are the ethical principles violated?
My thought about this case is that all members of the team should practice due diligence, thus the
doctor should also be help liable. But then again, Somera, as the nurse, it is her responsibility to
clarify the doctor’s order. Nurses have the prerogative to question and verify the doctor’s order
prior to even preparing the medication. With this, I believe that nurse Somera violated the ethical
principle of autonomy. The nurses presented their decision-making process in delivering patient
care, with the ethical principles of autonomy, non - maleficence, and, to a lesser extent,
beneficence and justice underpinning the phases. In their daily interactions with patients, they
demonstrate a respect for the patient's autonomy as well as a commitment to safeguard the
patient from any possible harm.