The client has been found to have a genetic mutation that increases the risk for colon cancer. The client does not want any family to know about this result. What is the nurse's best response?

a. "It is required by law that you inform your siblings and your children about this result so that they also can be tested and moni-tored for colon cancer."
b. "It is not necessary to tell your siblings because they are adults, but you should tell your children so that they can be tested before they decide to have children of their own."
c. "It is not required that you tell anyone about this result. However, because your siblings and children may also be at risk for colon cancer, you should think about how this information might help them."
d. "It is your decision to determine with whom, if anyone, you discuss this test re-sult. However, if you do not tell any of your family members and they get colon cancer, you could be held liable."


C
This situation represents an ethical dilemma. It is the client's decision whether to disclose the information. However, the information can affect others in the client's family. The law does not require the client to tell family members about the results, nor can the client be held liable for not telling them. The nurse may consider it ethically correct for the client to tell family members so that they can take action to prevent the development of cancer, but the nurse must respect the client's decision.

Nursing

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