A nurse is caring for a client who is requesting not to be mechanically ventilated.
The nurse notifies the client's provider about the client's concerns and respects the client's request.
Which of the following professional values is the nurse utilizing?
Altruism.
Social justice.
Integrity.
Autonomy.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Altruism involves a selfless concern for the well-being of others and is a foundational value in nursing. However, in this specific scenario, the nurse is acting on the client's expressed wish to refuse a specific medical intervention. While the nurse is helping the client, the primary principle being exercised here is not general selflessness, but rather the protection of the individual's right to make their own healthcare decisions regardless of the provider's opinions.
Choice B rationale
Social justice in nursing refers to the fair and equitable distribution of healthcare resources and the upholding of moral, legal, and humanistic principles for all people. While advocating for a client's rights is related to justice, this scenario is focused on an individual's specific medical choice rather than a broad societal or systemic issue of fairness. Social justice would more likely apply to ensuring all clients have equal access to refusing or accepting such treatments.
Choice C rationale
Integrity is manifested when a nurse acts in accordance with an appropriate code of ethics and accepted standards of practice. This includes being honest and providing care based on an ethical framework. While a nurse with integrity will certainly respect a client's wishes, the most specific value that describes the act of honoring a client's right to refuse life-sustaining treatment, like mechanical ventilation, is the recognition of their personal agency and self-governance.
Choice D rationale
Autonomy is the fundamental ethical principle that recognizes the right of a competent individual to make informed decisions about their own medical care. By notifying the provider and respecting the client's request to avoid mechanical ventilation, the nurse is directly supporting the client's self-determination. This value ensures that the client remains the primary decision-maker in their healthcare journey, even when their choices conflict with the standard medical recommendations for life preservation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Using an internet-based electronic translating service is often unreliable and may lead to significant clinical errors due to nuances in medical terminology. These services do not guarantee the confidentiality required by health information privacy laws. Furthermore, the accuracy of translation for complex medical conditions or legal consent is not verified. Relying on uncertified digital tools can result in a breakdown of communication, leading to improper diagnosis, incorrect treatment, and potential legal complications for the healthcare facility.
Choice B rationale
Asking a nursing colleague to translate is generally discouraged because it pulls them away from their own assigned duties and may lead to errors. Even if the colleague is fluent in the language, they are not typically trained or certified in medical interpretation. This can lead to the omission of critical clinical details or the addition of personal bias. Using staff members who are not designated interpreters can compromise the accuracy of the health history and the safety of the client.
Choice C rationale
Utilizing a facility-designated interpreter is the standard of care for clients with a language barrier. These professionals are trained in medical terminology and the ethics of interpretation, ensuring that information is conveyed accurately and neutrally. This practice protects the client's rights, ensures informed consent, and adheres to federal mandates regarding meaningful access to healthcare. It provides the most reliable method for obtaining an accurate health history and ensuring the client understands their care plan and instructions.
Choice D rationale
Requesting that a partner or family member interpret is inappropriate because it can lead to breaches of privacy and filtered information. Family members may omit sensitive details about the client's health or may not understand the medical terms well enough to translate them correctly. Additionally, the presence of a family member as an interpreter can create a power imbalance or emotional distress, preventing the client from speaking freely about symptoms, domestic issues, or specific health concerns.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice C rationale
Objective data consists of observable and measurable signs obtained through physical examination, laboratory tests, or diagnostic imaging. The inability to palpate a femoral pulse is a clinical finding that can be verified by another examiner and does not rely on the client's personal feelings. Normal pulses are usually graded as 2+ on a 0 to 4+ scale. This finding is a specific, measurable indicator of potential vascular compromise in the extremity.
Choice A rationale
Statements made by the client regarding their pain levels are considered subjective data. Pain is a personal, internal experience that cannot be directly measured or felt by the nurse. While nurses use scales to quantify pain, the data remains subjective because it originates from the patient's perception. Subjective reports are essential for assessment but are categorized as symptoms rather than signs, which are the basis of objective clinical data.
Choice B rationale
The client's statement about feeling sick or being about to vomit is subjective data. Nausea is a subjective sensation reported by the patient. If the client were to actually vomit, the volume, color, and consistency of the emesis would be recorded as objective data. Until a physical event occurs that the nurse can observe, the report of the feeling itself is treated as the patient's personal, internal perspective of their physical state.
Choice D rationale
Stating that a client appears anxious or frightened is a subjective interpretation made by the nurse rather than pure objective data. Observations of behavior can be objective if they describe specific actions, such as crying or pacing. However, assigning an emotion like anxiety involves an inference. To be truly objective, the nurse should document the specific physiological signs, such as a heart rate above 100 beats per minute or visible tremors.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.