A client has been diagnosed with malignant bone cancer, and treatment involves chemotherapy on an outpatient basis
Over the course of the treatment, the client becomes very ill and is expe-riencing debilitating side effects from the therapy and a severe reduction in the quality of life. Which of the following ethical principles is in question in this situation? a. Veracity
b. Fidelity
c. Justice
d. Nonmaleficence
D
Nonmaleficence is the avoidance of harm or hurt. The discomforts of treatment raise the follow-ing question: is the treatment benefiting the client, or are the side effects of the treatment worse than the disease itself? The health care professional should try to weigh the risks and benefits of a plan of care and strive to do the least harm possible.
Veracity refers to truthfulness. Truthfulness is not an issue in this situation.
Fidelity refers to agreement to keep promises. Fidelity is not an issue in this situation.
Justice refers to fairness. Justice is not an issue in this situation.
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