Which action by a psychiatric nurse best applies the ethical principle of autonomy?
Intervening when a self-mutilating patient attempts to harm self.
Exploring alternative solutions with the patient, who then makes a choice.
Staying with a patient demonstrating a high level of anxiety.
Suggesting that two patients who were fighting be restricted to the unit.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Intervening when a self-mutilating patient attempts to harm self reflects beneficence and nonmaleficence, prioritizing safety rather than autonomy.
B. Supporting the patient to explore alternatives and make their own choice directly respects and promotes the ethical principle of autonomy.
C. Staying with a patient demonstrating a high level of anxiety demonstrates beneficence by providing support, not autonomy.
D. Suggesting restrictions for patients who were fighting reflects justice or safety measures, not the patient’s personal decision-making.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Seclusion is a last-resort intervention, not an initial step.
B. Staff meetings to ensure consistent approaches, structure, and limit-setting prevent staff fatigue, reduce defensiveness, and provide therapeutic consistency for the client.
C. Confronting the patient directly about unacceptable behavior may escalate agitation and is not the most effective prevention strategy.
D. Group discussions with patients about one individual’s behavior would be inappropriate and non-therapeutic.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Social support is important for overall risk formulation and safety planning, but it is not the immediate priority when assessing imminent danger.
B. Financial and educational status may contribute to chronic stress and long-term risk, but they do not determine immediate lethality or imminence.
C. The availability of means and the lethality of the chosen method are the most urgent factors to assess because they directly influence the likelihood that an attempt will result in death. Removing or restricting access to lethal means is a high-priority, evidence-based safety intervention.
D. Insight into motivation helps guide treatment and psychotherapy, but it does not supersede immediate safety concerns about access to lethal methods.
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