A patient with severe hypertension, chosen to receive an experimental medication that has shown a dramatic efficacy in lowering blood pressure, has been told that his participation in the study is no longer needed

Question

The patient is upset because he wanted to try the medication to control his blood pressure. What should the nurse do to support this patient? 1. Tell the patient that he can participate some other time.
2. Explain to the patient that experimental medications rarely produce the desired results.
3. Help the patient understand that his participation "wasn't meant to be."
4. Talk with the researchers about the patient's right to receive the medication.

Answer 1

4
Rationale 1: The nurse should not make false promises.
Rationale 2: The nurse should not make questionable statements to invalidate the patient's wish to try a medication with potential benefits.
Rationale 3: Stating that his participation "wasn't meant to be" is dismissive of the patient's wish to try a medication with potential benefits.
Rationale 4: The principle of justice requires that people be treated fairly. This includes the patient's right to receive research treatments.