A nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and states that they wish to discontinue their enteral feedings. The nurse responds by saying "You have a right to refuse treatment." This response by the nurse demonstrates which of the following ethical principles?
Beneficence
Fidelity
Autonomy
Justice
The Correct Answer is C
A. Beneficence:
Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good or promoting the well-being of the patient. In this scenario, the nurse is respecting the client's autonomy rather than actively promoting a specific course of action.
B. Fidelity:
Fidelity refers to the principle of being faithful or keeping promises. While being truthful and honest with the client is important, the nurse's response is primarily addressing the client's autonomy.
C. Autonomy:
This is the correct answer. Autonomy is the ethical principle that emphasizes the individual's right to make decisions about their own care, including the right to refuse treatment. The nurse's response acknowledges and respects the client's autonomy in deciding to discontinue enteral feedings.
D. Justice:
Justice pertains to fairness and equitable distribution of resources. It is not the primary ethical principle being demonstrated in this scenario, as the focus is on the individual's right to make a decision about their own care.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. A dietitian is typically involved in addressing nutritional needs and dietary concerns. While nutrition is important for overall health, it may not directly address the client's difficulty with fine motor skills.
B. A physical therapist is more focused on addressing gross motor skills, mobility, and physical function. While physical therapy may be beneficial for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, it may not specifically address fine motor skill difficulties.
C. A pharmacist is responsible for managing medications and providing information about medications. While medication management is crucial for clients with rheumatoid arthritis, a pharmacist is not the primary referral for addressing fine motor skills.
D. Occupational therapist is the most appropriate referral for a client with difficulty in fine motor skills. Occupational therapists specialize in helping individuals develop or regain the skills needed for daily living activities, including fine motor skills. They can provide strategies, exercises, and adaptive techniques to improve the client's ability to perform activities such as dressing, grooming, and other tasks requiring fine motor coordination.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Fidelity refers to the concept of keeping promises or commitments made to clients. In this scenario, the nurse is demonstrating fidelity by informing the client that they will return as soon as possible with pain medication, indicating a commitment to addressing the client's needs promptly.
B. Justice pertains to fairness and equitable distribution of resources. It is not demonstrated in this scenario where the nurse is making a commitment to address the client's pain.
C. Autonomy involves respecting the client's right to make their own decisions and choices about their care. The nurse, in this case, is not specifically addressing the client's autonomy but rather demonstrating fidelity by committing to providing pain medication.
D. Nonmaleficence is the principle of doing no harm and ensuring the client's safety. While providing pain medication aligns with nonmaleficence by addressing the client's pain, the specific action of informing the client about the intent to return promptly falls more under the principle of fidelity.
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