Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing

Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing ( 5 Questions)

Question 1 :

A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a life-saving treatment due to personal beliefs. What action should the nurse take to address this legal and ethical issue?



Correct Answer: D

Seek guidance from the ethics committee or healthcare team.

Respecting patient autonomy while ensuring their well-being is crucial in addressing legal and ethical issues. In this situation, the nurse should seek guidance from the ethics committee or healthcare team to navigate the conflict between the patient's refusal and the potential harm it may cause. The ethics committee can help provide a framework for decision-making that respects both the patient's autonomy and the nurse's duty to protect life.

  • Option a (respecting the patient's decision and documenting refusal) is appropriate if the refusal is informed and the patient has decision-making capacity. However, seeking guidance from the ethics committee or healthcare team is still recommended.

  • Option b (convincing the patient to accept treatment) violates the principle of patient autonomy and disregards their right to make decisions based on personal beliefs.

  • Option c (overriding the patient's decision) is ethically and legally inappropriate without proper justification or court authorization.


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