The nurse is caring for a patient whose family does not want the patient to be told about the new diagnosis of cancer because of the poor prognosis. Keeping this secret from the patient is in direct conflict with the ethical concepts of:
a. autonomy and veracity.
b. veracity and advocacy.
c. justice and nonmaleficence.
d. confidentiality and justice.
ANS: A
Autonomy, or self-determination, is the freedom to make decisions supported by knowledge and self-confidence. Truthfulness defines the ethical concept of veracity. Supporting or promoting the interests of others or to do so for a cause greater than ourselves defines advocacy. To do justice is to act fairly and equitably. First, do no harm is the colloquial definition of nonmaleficence. Unlike beneficence, which requires actively doing good, nonmaleficence requires only the avoidance of harm. Confidentiality is the ethical concept that limits sharing private patient information.
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