A nurse is caring for a patient who has expressed a desire to refuse a life-saving treatment. According to ethical principles in nursing, what action should the nurse take?

Respect the patient's autonomy and honor their decision.

Ethical principles, such as respect for autonomy and informed consent, play a vital role in nursing practice. If a patient expresses a desire to refuse a life-saving treatment, the nurse's responsibility is to respect their autonomy and honor their decision. The nurse should provide information and support to ensure the patient understands the implications of their decision, but ultimately, it is the patient's right to make choices about their own healthcare.

• Option b undermines the principle of autonomy by attempting to convince the patient against their own decision.

• Option c disregards the patient's autonomy and places decision-making power in the hands of others without proper justification.

• Option d may be appropriate in certain situations, but the immediate focus is on respecting the patient's autonomy and honoring their decision.

Consult with the healthcare provider for further instructions.

Ethical principles in nursing emphasize the importance of patient autonomy and informed decision-making. In this situation, since the patient is nonverbal and unable to communicate their pain level, it is crucial to consult with the healthcare provider for further guidance on assessing and managing the patient's pain. This ensures that the nurse follows the principle of beneficence by providing appropriate and individualized care to the patient.

• Option a assumes the nurse's assessment alone is sufficient, disregarding the need for healthcare provider collaboration and input.

• Option c makes assumptions about the absence of pain without adequate assessment or guidance.

• Option d, while involving the family is important, does not replace the need for healthcare provider consultation in making decisions about pain management.