A nurse is caring for a client who is starting treatment for substance use disorder. Which of the following actions indicates the nurse is practicing the ethical principle of nonmaleficence?
Withholding a prescribed medication that is causing adverse effects for the client
Educating the client about legal rights concerning treatment
Providing the client with quality care regardless of ability to pay for treatment
Being truthful with the client about the manifestations of withdrawal.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Withholding a prescribed medication that is causing adverse effects for the client
The principle of nonmaleficence, often summarized as "do no harm," emphasizes the nurse's duty to prevent harm and to remove existing harm. If a medication prescribed to a client is causing adverse effects, the nurse should withhold the medication to prevent harm to the client.
B. Educating the client about legal rights concerning treatment
Educating the client about their legal rights falls under providing information and ensuring the client's autonomy but does not directly address the principle of non-maleficence.
C. Providing the client with quality care regardless of ability to pay for treatment
Providing quality care regardless of the client's ability to pay is an ethical practice, but it aligns more with the principles of justice and beneficence rather than nonmaleficence.
D. Being truthful with the client about the manifestations of withdrawal
Being truthful and providing accurate information to the client about withdrawal symptoms is crucial, but it doesn't directly address the principle of nonmaleficence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Paranoia:
Paranoia involves unfounded beliefs that others are plotting against, persecuting, or harming the individual. It is not directly related to the client's statement about bodily sensations.
B. A somatic delusion:
This is the correct choice. A somatic delusion is a false belief related to the body. In this case, the client believes that their heart exploded and blood is draining out, which is a somatic delusion involving bodily functions and sensations.
C. Concrete thinking:
Concrete thinking refers to a literal and straightforward way of thinking without the ability to interpret abstract or metaphorical language. While the client's statement is literal, it is not an example of concrete thinking. Concrete thinking would involve an inability to understand figurative language, which is not the case here.
D. A visual hallucination:
Visual hallucinations involve seeing things that are not present. The client's statement does not describe a visual experience but rather a false belief about bodily sensations, indicating a somatic delusion.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Denial:
Denial is a defense mechanism in which a person refuses to accept reality or acknowledge the existence of something that is evident to others. For example, a person diagnosed with a serious illness might deny that they are ill or refuse to believe the diagnosis. In this scenario, the client is not denying a reality; he is expressing anger and directing it toward the nurse.
B. Compensation:
Compensation is a defense mechanism where an individual overachieves in one area to compensate for real or imagined deficiencies in another area. For instance, someone who feels intellectually inferior might excel in sports to compensate for their perceived inadequacy. This is not applicable to the client's situation in the scenario provided.
C. Rationalization:
Rationalization involves providing logical or reasonable explanations to justify behaviors or feelings that might otherwise be unacceptable. For instance, a person might rationalize a failure by blaming external factors rather than accepting personal responsibility. In the scenario, the client is not offering rationalizations but is expressing direct anger.
D. Displacement:
Displacement occurs when emotions, especially anger or frustration, are redirected from the original source to a less threatening target. For example, a person who is angry with their boss might come home and take out their frustration on their family members. In the given situation, the client is displacing his anger from his partner onto the nurse, asking her to leave, making displacement the most appropriate choice.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.