A nurse admits a patient with end-stage cancer who is very obviously in pain yet refuses pain medication because of the desire to remain aware of family members who are present The best example of the nurse acting under the ethical principle of beneficence is to
a. assess the patient and pain thoroughly and discuss the patient's wishes.
b. call the doctor and get orders for around-the-clock pain medication anyway.
c. tell the patient and family that the patient has the right to refuse treatment.
d. try convincing the patient that the family does not want her to be in pain.
A
The heart of ethical nursing practice is a therapeutic nurse–patient relationship in which the nurse's actions are influenced by each patient's unique situation. To follow the principle of beneficence, the nurse needs to promote good understanding of the patient's wishes. After obtaining this information, the nurse can move on to a plan to manage the patient's pain that is acceptable to the patient (possibly nonpharmacological therapies). But without having this information first, the nurse cannot treat the patient's pain in a beneficent manner.
One option might be to call the doctor and get pain medication ordered so it will be available should the patient change her mind. But first, the nurse needs to understand the patient's wishes and desires in order to assist the physician in ordering the most appropriate medication. It is not beneficent to merely get pain medication ordered anyway.
The patient does have the right to refuse any treatment (if the patient is able to make reasoned judgments), but this corresponds to the principle of autonomy.
Trying to convince the patient to act in accordance with the wishes of others is not promoting beneficence.
You might also like to view...
As part of the care of a mechanically ventilated patient, the nurse provides oral and subglottic suctioning every 2 hours. What is the best rationale for this nursing action?
A) Stimulates cough and deep breathing B) Reduces pulmonary microbial colonization C) Maintains oral mucosal moisture D) Part of Universal Precautions protocols
A nursing student teaching a client about risk factors for colorectal cancer would include:
a. heavy alcohol consumption c. eating a high-fiber diet b. exposure to secondhand smoke d. history of rectal polyps
A nurse is teaching parents about diarrhea. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. Diarrhea results from a fluid deficit in the small intestine. b. Organisms destroy intestinal mucosal cells, resulting in an increased intestinal surface area. c. Malabsorption results in metabolic alkalosis. d. Increased motility results in impaired absorption of fluid and nutrients.
A patient with third-degree burns to the face learns that there will be extensive scarring once the burn heals. For which patient problem should the nurse plan interventions?
A. Changes in airway maintenance B. Lack of body fluids C. Powerlessness D. Infection