A nurse is caring for a patient who is nonverbal and unable to communicate their pain level. According to ethical principles in nursing, what action should the nurse take?
Administer pain medication based on the nurse's assessment.
Consult with the healthcare provider for further instructions.
Assume the patient is not experiencing pain and provide comfort measures.
Involve the patient's family in making decisions about pain management.
The Correct Answer is B
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.
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Option a assumes the nurse's assessment alone is sufficient, disregarding the need for healthcare provider collaboration and input.
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Option c makes assumptions about the absence of pain without adequate assessment or guidance.
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Option d, while involving the family is important, does not replace the need for healthcare provider consultation in making decisions about pain management.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
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.
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Option b undermines the principle of autonomy by attempting to convince the patient against their own decision.
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Option c disregards the patient's autonomy and places decision-making power in the hands of others without proper justification.
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Option d may be appropriate in certain situations, but the immediate focus is on respecting the patient's autonomy and honoring their decision.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
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.
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Option a violates patient confidentiality and disregards the nurse's responsibility to protect patient information.
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Option b may provide limited information but does not justify accessing the medical records without proper authorization.
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Option d is not necessary in this situation as patient confidentiality is a fundamental principle that should be upheld.
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