A nurse manager is leading a discussion about ethical dilemmas. Which of the following situations should the nurse manager include as an example of an ethical dilemma?
A visitor experiences a minor burn after spilling coffee
A parent wants her 14-year-old adolescent to receive radiation treatment against his will
A nurse witnesses another nurse administer an incorrect medication
A client receives an operation on the wrong side of her body
The Correct Answer is B
a. A visitor experiences a minor burn after spilling coffee:
This situation does not present an ethical dilemma. It is a minor accident that can be addressed through appropriate first aid and safety measures.
b. A parent wants her 14-year-old adolescent to receive radiation treatment against his will:
This situation involves a conflict between parental authority and the autonomy of the adolescent. It raises questions about the adolescent's capacity to make medical decisions, the role of parental consent, and the rights of the adolescent to refuse treatment. Therefore, it represents an ethical dilemma.
c. A nurse witnesses another nurse administer an incorrect medication:
While this situation involves patient safety and professional responsibility, it does not inherently pose an ethical dilemma. It is a matter of patient safety and adherence to professional standards rather than conflicting moral principles.
d. A client receives an operation on the wrong side of her body:
This situation represents a serious medical error and a violation of patient safety protocols. While it may have ethical implications related to accountability, negligence, and patient harm, it primarily involves issues of medical error rather than a true ethical dilemma.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
a. A client with Alzheimer's disease and bacterial pneumonia with newly onset restlessness may be experiencing delirium, which could indicate a worsening of their pneumonia or another underlying issue. Delirium can be a sign of a serious medical condition and requires immediate assessment to determine the cause and provide appropriate intervention.
b. While a fasting blood glucose level of 200mg/dL in a newly admitted client with diabetes mellitus is high and requires attention, it is not as urgent as assessing a client with newly onset restlessness, as described in option a.
c. A client who is 24 hours postoperative following surgical reduction of a hip fracture and reports a pain level of 7 on a scale from 0-10 requires assessment and pain management, but it is not as urgent as assessing the client with newly onset restlessness.
d. A client who is 3 days postoperative following abdominal surgery and is ready for discharge may require routine assessment and preparation for discharge, but it is not as urgent as assessing the client with newly onset restlessness.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
a. “The client is in the radiology department for a chest x-ray.”
This information is relevant as it informs the oncoming nurse about the client's current location and the reason for the absence from the unit. It helps maintain awareness of the client's whereabouts and the ongoing diagnostic process.
b. “The client’s partner came to visit him 2 hrs. ago.”
While it's important to document visitor interactions in the client's chart, informing about a visit from 2 hours ago during a change-of-shift report may not be as pertinent to immediate patient care as other information. This detail can be communicated through other means, such as the client's chart or communication log.
c. “The client has routine vital signs prescribed.”is not as critical to include in the change-of-shift report because it is standard practice and does not provide specific, immediate information about the client’s current status or any changes that need to be monitored closely.
d. “The client is the president of a local bank.”
While interesting, this information is not relevant to the client's current medical condition or care plan. It does not contribute to the immediate care needs of the client and can be considered extraneous during a change-of-shift report.
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