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Ethical and Legal Considerations in Chronic Illness Care
Ethical and Legal Considerations in Chronic Illness Care ( 4 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has terminal cancer and has expressed a wish to die at home. The client's family members are reluctant to honor this wish and insist that the client should stay in the hospital. What is the best action for the nurse to take in this situation?
This option may seem respectful, but it does not consider the family's perspective or provide any support or guidance for them. The nurse should not act as a mediator or arbitrator between the client and the family, but rather involve a multidisciplinary team that can address their needs holistically.
This option is disrespectful and paternalistic, as it disregards the client's wishes and imposes the nurse's own judgment on them. The nurse should not assume that dying at home is not feasible, as there may be resources and services available to assist with home-based palliative care. The nurse should also not coerce or manipulate the client into changing their decision, as this violates their autonomy and dignity.
The nurse should respect the client's autonomy and right to self-determination, but also acknowledge the family's concerns and emotions. Referring the client and the family to a palliative care team can help to facilitate communication, provide education, address psychosocial and spiritual needs, and coordinate care options that are acceptable to both parties.
This option is also disrespectful and paternalistic, as it implies that the client's decision is wrong or irrational, and that the family's wishes are more important or valid. The nurse should not pressure or guilt-trip the client into complying with the family's preferences, as this undermines their autonomy and dignity.
The nurse should respect the client's autonomy and right to self-determination, but also acknowledge the family's concerns and emotions. Referring the client and the family to a palliative care team can help to facilitate communication, provide education, address psychosocial and spiritual needs, and coordinate care options that are acceptable to both parties.
Incorrect options:
A) Respect the client's autonomy and advocate for their preference to die at home. - This option may seem respectful, but it does not consider the family's perspective or provide any support or guidance for them. The nurse should not act as a mediator or arbitrator between the client and the family, but rather involve a multidisciplinary team that can address their needs holistically.
B) Explain to the client that dying at home is not feasible and persuade them to stay in the hospital. - This option is disrespectful and paternalistic, as it disregards the client's wishes and imposes the nurse's own judgment on them. The nurse should not assume that dying at home is not feasible, as there may be resources and services available to assist with home-based palliative care. The nurse should also not coerce or manipulate the client into changing their decision, as this violates their autonomy and dignity.
D) Ask the client to reconsider their decision and respect the family's wishes. - This option is also disrespectful and paternalistic, as it implies that the client's decision is wrong or irrational, and that the family's wishes are more important or valid. The nurse should not pressure or guilt-trip the client into complying with the family's preferences, as this undermines their autonomy and dignity.