Mrs. J's insurance company reimburses for a maximum of four physical therapy sessions annually. At age 62, Mrs. J is recovering slowly from hip surgery, and her nurse believes that additional sessions would enhance Mrs. J's self-care capacity
Mrs. J cannot afford to pay for additional sessions. Which of the following is the nurse's major ethical concern?
A) Do I increase financial risks for health care institutions by insisting that nonreimbursed therapy be provided?
B) Is the insurance company reimbursing in a manner that threatens my patient's well-being?
C) Have meta-analyses shown that additional therapy sessions are cost-effective?
D) Am I in compliance with the integrity requirement of the "Code of Ethics for Nurses" of the American Nurses Association?
B
Feedback:
The nurse's first priority is quality care for the patient. If an insurance company is reimbursing in a manner that threatens a patient's well-being, the nurse faces a difficult ethical conflict.
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