A nurse is caring for a client who has a tumor. The provider recommends surgery. The client refuses, but the client's partner wants the surgery performed. Which of the following is the deciding factor in determining if the surgery will be done?
Whether the client's refusal is based on religious belief
Whether the partner is the client's durable power of attorney for health care
Whether the client understands the risk of refusing the procedure
Whether the facility ethics committee reaches a consensus on the case
The Correct Answer is C
A. While religious beliefs may influence a client's decision, they are not the deciding factor. Clients have the right to refuse treatment regardless of the reason, as long as they are competent and informed.
B. The partner’s role as the durable power of attorney for health care is only relevant if the client is unable to make decisions due to incompetence or incapacitation. If the client is competent, their decision takes precedence over the wishes of their partner or any legal proxy.
C. Ensuring the client understands the risks of refusing the procedure is the deciding factor. A competent client has the right to refuse any medical treatment, including surgery, after being informed of the potential consequences. The nurse and provider must ensure the client’s decision is informed and voluntary.
D. The facility ethics committee may provide guidance in complex cases, but they do not override a competent client’s autonomy. The client’s informed decision is the ultimate determinant in whether the surgery is performed.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. A client with gestational diabetes receiving biweekly nonstress tests typically requires monitoring and assessment that align more closely with obstetric nursing knowledge and skills rather than medical-surgical nursing.
B. A multigravida client with preeclampsia receiving misoprostol for induction of labor needs specialized obstetric care due to the complexity of the condition and the induction process.
C. A client at 32 weeks of gestation with premature rupture of membranes would require obstetric care expertise for monitoring and management.
D. A primigravida client 1 day postoperative following a Cesarean section with a patient- controlled analgesia (PCA) pump requires specialized postoperative obstetric care,
making this assignment suitable for the RN who floated from a medical-surgical unit due to their experience with postoperative care and pain management.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. A client receiving an operation on the wrong side of the body is a serious medical error but might not inherently involve an ethical dilemma unless the decision-making process and accountability are in question.
B. A parent wanting a 14-year-old adolescent to receive radiation treatment against his will involves conflicting values of autonomy, beneficence, and parental rights,
constituting an ethical dilemma.
C. A visitor experiencing a minor burn is an incident but doesn't inherently pose an ethical dilemma.
D. A nurse witnessing another nurse administering an incorrect medication is a patient safety issue but might not inherently involve an ethical dilemma unless there are questions about reporting or intervening in the situation.
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