The nurse learns that a family has declined an elective medical intervention for a health care problem because paying for the care would drastically reduce the family's resources and ability to meet the needs of other family members. Ethically, which of the following actions should be taken by the nurse?
Appreciate that the family has made the decision that it feels is best and take no further action if it is clear the family has made an informed choice.
Try to convince the agency to give the care for free, even if it means economic stress for the agency, because the medical need is obvious.
Stress that each individual in society has a right to health care and the family will have to create some way to raise funds for the needed treatment.
Talk to the media to see whether a campaign to raise funds for the family can be created.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Appreciate that the family has made the decision that it feels is best and take no further action if it is clear the family has made an informed choice: Respecting autonomy is a key ethical principle in nursing. If the family has made an informed decision without coercion, the nurse should respect their choice. Beneficence and nonmaleficence do not override autonomy in this case.
B. Try to convince the agency to give the care for free, even if it means economic stress for the agency, because the medical need is obvious: While advocacy is important, it is unethical to place financial strain on an agency without proper policy in place. This option disregards justice (fair distribution of resources).
C. Stress that each individual in society has a right to healthcare and the family will have to create some way to raise funds for the needed treatment: While healthcare access is a concern, pressuring the family to raise funds imposes unrealistic expectations and does not respect their right to decline care.
D. Talk to the media to see whether a campaign to raise funds for the family can be created: Disclosing a family's personal health information without consent violates confidentiality and privacy rights under ethical and legal guidelines.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
A. Communicate concern with chain of command: Addressing moral distress requires advocating for ethical concerns. Reporting issues to supervisors or the chain of command can initiate discussions and potential solutions.
B. Seek support from ethics committees: Ethics committees provide guidance and a structured way to resolve ethical dilemmas, helping nurses navigate morally distressing situations.
C. Be proactive: Taking a proactive approach—such as staying informed on ethical policies and seeking resolution early—can help prevent worsening distress.
D. Examine ways to work toward addressing the stressors: Identifying specific causes of moral distress and finding ways to address them, whether through self-reflection or systemic changes, promotes resilience and ethical practice.
E. Avoid discussing with others situations leading to moral distress: Suppressing concerns can worsen distress and lead to burnout. Open discussions with trusted colleagues, mentors, or support groups can help process emotions and develop solutions.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Endemic: An endemic disease is one that is consistently present in a population at expected levels, such as malaria in some tropical regions. Food poisoning outbreaks are not endemic.
B. Epidemic: An epidemic occurs when there is a sudden increase in cases of a disease within a specific population, as seen in this outbreak of food poisoning among picnic attendees.
C. Pandemic: A pandemic affects multiple countries or continents, which does not apply to this localized outbreak.
D. Polidemic: The term "polidemic" is not commonly used in epidemiology; the correct term for a localized outbreak is "epidemic."
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