A nurse stops a medication when noticing that the patient has harmful side effects that outweigh the benefits. Which principle is being applied?
Justice
Nonmaleficence
Autonomy
Beneficence
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Justice refers to the ethical obligation to treat all patients fairly and distribute resources equitably. While the nurse must apply clinical standards fairly to all patients, the specific act of discontinuing a harmful medication to prevent further injury is centered on safety and the avoidance of harm rather than the distribution of care.
Choice B reason: Nonmaleficence is the fundamental ethical principle of "doing no harm." When a nurse identifies that a prescribed treatment is causing adverse effects that are more detrimental to the patient's health than the condition being treated, they have an ethical duty to intervene. Stopping the medication directly prevents further iatrogenic injury to the patient.
Choice C reason: Autonomy involves the patient's right to make their own decisions about their healthcare. While a patient may choose to stop a medication, the scenario describes the nurse taking action based on a clinical observation of harm. If the nurse makes this decision in the patient's interest to prevent injury, it is an application of professional ethics rather than a reflection of patient self-determination.
Choice D reason: Beneficence is the duty to act in ways that benefit the patient. While stopping a harmful drug is beneficial, the primary focus of stopping a negative or toxic effect is the avoidance of harm, which is the specific definition of nonmaleficence. Beneficence is usually associated with proactive treatments and promoting overall wellness.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Elevated bilirubin levels result in jaundice, which manifests as a yellowish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. This is a common finding in hepatic, biliary, or hemolytic disorders. It is distinct from pallor, which is the loss of normal skin tones and a transition to a pale or ashen appearance.
Choice B reason: Inflammation typically presents with rubor (redness) due to localized vasodilation and increased blood flow to the affected area. It is also usually accompanied by heat, swelling, and pain. Pale skin around the nail beds and lips is the physiological opposite of the hyperemic response seen in acute inflammatory processes.
Choice C reason: Pallor in the nail beds and lips (perioral and ungual regions) often indicates a reduction in circulating oxyhemoglobin or decreased peripheral blood flow. This is a clinical hallmark of anemia, where hemoglobin levels are insufficient, or various circulatory issues such as peripheral vascular disease or hypovolemic shock, where blood is shunted away from the periphery.
Choice D reason: Inadequate oxygenation, specifically a lack of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia), typically manifests as cyanosis, which is a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. While pallor can precede cyanosis in some cases of respiratory distress, the specific finding of a pale or white appearance is more strongly associated with blood volume or hemoglobin deficits.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Indoor tanning beds are not safe as they emit concentrated ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation. This exposure significantly increases the risk of DNA damage in skin cells, leading to melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Patients must be taught that artificial UV sources are as hazardous as natural sunlight.
Choice B reason: Chemical sunscreens require approximately 15 to 20 minutes to be fully absorbed into the stratum corneum to provide effective photoprotection. Applying it immediately before or after exposure leaves the skin vulnerable to radiation. This statement demonstrates the patient understands the correct pharmacological application timing for maximum ultraviolet protection.
Choice C reason: Ultraviolet radiation can damage ocular tissues and the periocular skin even on cloudy or overcast days. Constant use of sunglasses that filter 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays is necessary to prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. Limiting use to bright days shows an incomplete understanding.
Choice D reason: Sunscreen must be reapplied at least every 2 hours, regardless of activity, because the active ingredients break down over time when exposed to light. Furthermore, sweating and friction from clothing can remove the protective layer. Restricting reapplication only to post-swimming activities significantly increases the risk of solar erythema.
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