The emergency department nurse administers a prescribed narcotic for a client with renal colic and then discharges the client without ensuring the client has a designated driver. The client is subsequently involved in a motor vehicle collision on their way home, causing injury to self and others. Which ethical principle did the nurse violate?
Veracity
Autonomy
Beneficence
Nonmaleficence
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Veracity is the principle of truthfulness and honesty. It involves providing accurate information to clients and being truthful in communication. While important in healthcare, veracity does not specifically address the nurse's failure to ensure the client's safety after administering a narcotic.
Choice B reason: Autonomy refers to respecting the client's right to make their own decisions about their care. While autonomy is a fundamental ethical principle, the scenario involves the nurse's responsibility to ensure safety, which falls under a different principle.
Choice C reason: Beneficence is the principle of acting in the best interest of the client by promoting good and preventing harm. Although related to the scenario, beneficence focuses more on the proactive aspect of providing care rather than preventing harm resulting from inaction.
Choice D reason: Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of "do no harm." The nurse violated this principle by discharging the client without ensuring they had a designated driver, leading to a motor vehicle collision and injuries. The nurse's action indirectly caused harm, violating the principle of nonmaleficence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: In the START triage system, the yellow category is designated for clients who are unable to walk, but their condition is stable and does not require immediate life-saving intervention. This client, though confused, is obeying commands, has a deformity to his lower leg with good peripheral pulses, and is unable to ambulate. These factors indicate that the client's injuries need attention but are not immediately life-threatening, making the yellow category appropriate.
Choice B reason: The black category is for clients who are deceased or have injuries so severe that they are not expected to survive even with immediate medical intervention. This client does not fall into this category as he is responsive and his condition is stable.
Choice C reason: The red category is assigned to clients who require immediate life-saving intervention. Although the client is unable to walk and has a deformity to his lower leg, he is stable, obeys commands, and has good peripheral pulses. Thus, he does not meet the criteria for the red category.
Choice D reason: The green category is used for clients who can walk and have minor injuries that do not require urgent medical attention. This client is unable to ambulate, indicating that his condition is more serious than those in the green category.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Reassessing the client when the provider arrives to obtain the informed consent may be necessary, but it is not the priority action. The nurse needs to ensure that the provider is aware of the client's current mental status before any attempt to obtain informed consent is made.
Choice B reason: Notifying the provider of the client's orientation is the priority action. The client's intermittent confusion indicates that she may not have the capacity to provide informed consent. The provider needs to be aware of this to take appropriate steps, such as involving a legal representative or family member, to obtain consent.
Choice C reason: Calling the nursing supervisor to give consent for the surgery is not appropriate. The nursing supervisor does not have the legal authority to provide consent on behalf of the client.
Choice D reason: Asking another nurse to witness the informed consent does not address the issue of the client's mental status and ability to provide informed consent. This action is not appropriate given the client's intermittent confusion.
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