A nurse is asked by a family member to access the medical records of a patient who is not their relative. According to ethical principles in nursing, what is the nurse's responsibility?

Assessing the patient's pain level and advocating for appropriate pain management.

Ethical principles in nursing emphasize the importance of providing optimal care and relieving suffering. In this situation, the nurse's role is to assess the patient's pain level, advocate for appropriate pain management, and collaborate with the healthcare provider to ensure the patient's comfort. This upholds the principle of beneficence by promoting the patient's well-being and ensuring their pain is adequately addressed.

• Option a may be unsafe and inappropriate without consulting the healthcare provider for appropriate medication dosing.

• Option c neglects the patient's right to pain relief and prioritizes potential risks over the patient's well-being.

• Option d is unethical as it involves deception and undermines the trust between the nurse and the patient.

Refuse the family member's request and explain the importance of patient confidentiality.

Ethical principles in nursing emphasize the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy. In this situation, the nurse should refuse the family member's request to access the medical records and explain the legal and ethical obligations to protect patient information. Patient confidentiality must be maintained unless authorized by the patient or required by law.

• Option a violates patient confidentiality and disregards the nurse's responsibility to protect patient information.

• Option b may provide limited information but does not justify accessing the medical records without proper authorization.

• Option d is not necessary in this situation as patient confidentiality is a fundamental principle that should be upheld.