A nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and states that they wish to discontinue their enteral feedings. The nurse responds by saying "You have a right to refuse treatment." This response by the nurse demonstrates which of the following ethical principles?
Beneficence
Fidelity
Autonomy
Justice
The Correct Answer is C
A. Beneficence:
Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good or promoting the well-being of the patient. In this scenario, the nurse is respecting the client's autonomy rather than actively promoting a specific course of action.
B. Fidelity:
Fidelity refers to the principle of being faithful or keeping promises. While being truthful and honest with the client is important, the nurse's response is primarily addressing the client's autonomy.
C. Autonomy:
This is the correct answer. Autonomy is the ethical principle that emphasizes the individual's right to make decisions about their own care, including the right to refuse treatment. The nurse's response acknowledges and respects the client's autonomy in deciding to discontinue enteral feedings.
D. Justice:
Justice pertains to fairness and equitable distribution of resources. It is not the primary ethical principle being demonstrated in this scenario, as the focus is on the individual's right to make a decision about their own care.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The statement "Nonmaleficence is doing what is good for a client" is incorrect. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of "do no harm." It means avoiding actions that could harm the patient and ensuring that the benefits of treatment outweigh the potential risks.
B. The statement "Fidelity means not doing anything that can harm the client" is partially correct. Fidelity is the ethical principle of faithfulness and keeping promises. It involves being loyal to patients and maintaining trust. While it is related to avoiding harm, it specifically emphasizes keeping commitments and being trustworthy.
C. The statement "Veracity means telling the truth and being honest" is correct. Veracity is the ethical principle of truth-telling and honesty. It involves providing accurate and complete information to patients, promoting transparency in communication.
D. The statement "Beneficence is being fair and impartial to a client" is incorrect. Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good for the patient, promoting their well-being, and advocating for their best interests. Fairness and impartiality are more aligned with the principle of justice.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Complete an incident report.
Reporting a needlestick injury through an incident report is crucial. It documents the details of the incident, which is important for the nurse's safety and for initiating appropriate follow-up actions.
B. Receive a hepatitis C immunization:
There is no specific hepatitis C vaccine available. While there are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, there is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Seeking post-exposure prophylaxis and follow-up is more relevant in this case.
C. Notify the health department:
Notifying the health department might be necessary in some cases, but the immediate action for the nurse is to report the incident through an incident report within the facility. This allows for prompt internal investigation and necessary measures.
D. Start prophylactic antibiotic therapy:
Prophylactic antibiotic therapy is not the standard protocol for preventing hepatitis C transmission after a needlestick injury. Antiviral medications might be considered in certain cases for post-exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis C, but this decision should be made after consulting with a healthcare provider or infectious disease specialist based on the specific circumstances of the exposure. Reporting the incident remains the immediate priority.
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