Part 1 Kristen, 25 years old, started her first job out of training in the operating room (OR) at a local hospital. During the routine screenings for hire, it was discovered that Kristen was hepatitis C positive, meaning that she was carrying the disease. This did not preclude her employment, and she started working. Unfortunately, shortly after hire, Kristen had become addicted to drugs. She saw an opportunity to have easy access to medications by injecting the drugs labeled for client use and refilling the syringes with sterile water prior to the client receiving the medications (Brown, 2010).

QUESTIONS: What are the legal and ethical violations in this scenario? What are the legal ramifications for Kristen? What are the legal ramifications for the hospital? Do you think anyone in the OR noticed unusual behavior in Kristen?

Part 2 Kristen was eventually discovered and her employment terminated after infecting at least 18 clients with hepatitis C. Charges were pressed, and Kristen had to testify in a court of law. The Rest of the Story The typical sentence for this type of crime is 20 to 25 years, but the judge sentenced Kristen to 30 years in federal prison. 

QUESTIONS: 1. Do you feel that the judge was justified in his actions? Why or why not? Should addiction be a reason for leniency or does it have any bearing on the sentencing?