The physician has just told a patient that he has stage 4 lung cancer and likely has only months to live

Question

After the physician leaves, the patient, who is visibly shaken, asks the nurse, "Couldn't the doctor be wrong? Is it really that bad?" The nurse explains to him that, although there is no way to know for certain how the disease will progress, the stage of his lung cancer is the most serious. The nurse also indicates that the cancer has spread to other organs in his body, meaning that the odds of recovery are not good. The patient then asks that the nurse not tell his wife, who is in the waiting room, about the diagnosis just yet. Later the patient's wife enters the room and, seeing that he is asleep, asks the nurse if there is any update on the patient's condition. The nurse explains that the doctor talked to the patient earlier and that the patient can provide details once he wakes up. Which ethical principle or principles has the nurse exercised in this situation? Select all that apply.
A) Justice
B) Fidelity
C) Veracity
D) Nonmaleficence

Answer 1

B, C