A nurse is caring for a client who is dying of metastatic breast cancer. She has a prescription for an opioid pain medication PRN. The nurse is concerned that administering a dose of pain medication might hasten the client's death. Which of the following ethical principles should the nurse use to support the decision not to administer the medication?

Fidelity

Veracity

Utilitarianism

Non-maleficence

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Fidelity: Fidelity refers to the duty to fulfill one's commitments and obligations. While important in nursing practice, fidelity is not directly applicable to the decision not to administer pain medication in this scenario.
B. Veracity: Veracity refers to truthfulness and honesty in communication. While it is important for the nurse to communicate honestly with the client and their family about the risks and benefits of pain management, the decision not to administer pain medication is primarily based on the principle of non-maleficence.
C. Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number of people. While pain relief may contribute to the overall well-being of the client, the decision not to administer pain medication in this scenario is more closely aligned with the principle of non-maleficence, as it focuses on avoiding harm to the individual client.
D. Non-maleficence: Non-maleficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the duty to do no harm. In this situation, the nurse's primary concern is to avoid causing harm to the client. Administering pain medication to relieve suffering, even if it might hasten death, aligns with the principle of non-maleficence because the intent is to alleviate suffering and provide comfort to the dying client.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Activate the fire alarm: While activating the fire alarm is important in alerting others to the fire, the priority is ensuring the safety of clients in the immediate vicinity. Moving clients away from the potential danger takes precedence over activating the alarm.
B. Use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire: While extinguishing the fire is necessary to prevent its spread, it should only be attempted after ensuring the safety of clients nearby. Attempting to use a fire extinguisher without first moving clients could put them at risk of injury or smoke inhalation.
C. Move any clients in the immediate vicinity: This is the priority action. Moving clients away from the potential danger of the smoldering fire helps protect them from smoke inhalation and potential burns. It ensures their safety while allowing the nurse to assess the situation and determine further actions.
D. Close the fire doors on the unit: Closing fire doors can help contain the fire and prevent its spread, but it is not the immediate priority when clients are in close proximity to the smoldering fire. Moving clients to safety should be the first action taken.

A. Relieve the client's pain. B. Promote oral hygiene C. Ensure adequate nutrition D. Prevent aspiration

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Relieve the client's pain: While pain management is important for client comfort and recovery, it is not the priority immediately following intermaxillary fixation. Pain relief can be addressed once the more urgent concerns, such as preventing aspiration, are addressed.
B. Promote oral hygiene: Promoting oral hygiene is essential for preventing complications such as infection, but it is not the priority immediately after surgery and intermaxillary fixation. The client's airway and respiratory status should be the primary focus at this time.
C. Ensure adequate nutrition: Ensuring adequate nutrition is important for the client's overall recovery, but it is not the immediate priority after surgery and intermaxillary fixation. The priority is to prevent complications such as aspiration and maintain the client's airway.
D. Prevent aspiration: This is the priority action for the nurse. Intermaxillary fixation restricts the client's ability to open their mouth, increasing the risk of aspiration if vomiting occurs. The nurse should ensure that the client's airway is clear and that measures are in place to prevent aspiration, such as positioning the client appropriately and monitoring for signs of respiratory distress.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client smoking in his bathroom has dropped a cigarette butt into a wastepaper basket, which begins to smolder. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has returned from the surgical suite following surgery for a fractured mandible. The client had intermaxillary fixation to repair and stabilize the fracture. Which of the following actions is the priority for the nurse to take?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a young adult client who says he is experiencing increased anxiety and an inability to concentrate. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is resistant to taking medication. Which of the following strategies should the nurse use to elicit the child's cooperation?

A nurse is caring for a client who is dying. The client says. "My mother died in the hospital, but I did not get there before she died." Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

A nurse is conducting a primary survey of a client who has sustained life threatening injuries due to a motor vehicle crash. Identify the sequence of actions the nurse should take. (Move the actions into the box on the right, placing them in the selected order of performance. Use all the steps.)

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A nurse is administering a tap water enema to a client who is constipated. During the administration of the enema, the client states he is having abdominal cramps. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to relieve the client's discomfort?

A charge nurse has access to the facility's electronic client records. It is appropriate for the charge nurse to share her personal password with whom?