A nurse who works in the emergency department (ED) is assigned to a client who is experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding at 12 weeks' gestation

Question

An ultrasound has confirmed the absence of a fetal heart rate, and the client is scheduled for a dilation and evacuation of the pregnancy. The nurse refuses to provide any further care for this client based on moral principles. What is the nurse manager's initial response to the nurse?

a. "I recall you sharing that information in your interview. I will arrange for another nurse to take report on this client."
b. "Because we are shorthanded today, you have to continue to provide care. There is no one else available to provide care for this client."
c. "I understand your point of view. You were hired to work here in the ED so you had to know this situation was possible."
d. "Abandonment is a serious issue. I have to advise you to continue to provide care for this client."

Answer 1

ANS: A
Nurses do not have to provide care if the care is in violation of their moral, ethical, or religious principles. However, it is the responsibility of the nurse to share these views at the time of the initial interview. Disclosing beliefs that would affect the care of clients at the point of care and refusing to provide care is unethical on behalf of the nurse. The manager cannot force the nurse to provide care if the nurse's principles were shared at the time of the initial interview. It is the manager's responsibility to disclose the type of care delivered in the department at the time of the interview. Threats of abandonment are unwarranted at this time.