Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumClient Rights and Advocacy

A spouse hurriedly approaches the unit desk, visibly upset after speaking with the healthcare provider. The spouse demands that nursing staff administer an anti-anxiety medication to their partner, stating, 'They just refused any further chemotherapy, but they need it to survive! Just give them a pill so we can get them to the infusion center.' The client is awake, oriented, and possesses the legal capacity to make healthcare decisions. Which action should the practical nurse take in response to this demand?

  1. Explain that medication cannot be administered to facilitate a treatment the client has explicitly declined.Answer
  2. B
    Contact the provider to request a mild sedative to help ease the partner's anxiety about the treatment.
  3. C
    Inform the spouse that they can sign a new consent form to override the refusal since they are married.
  4. D
    Offer to call their adult children so they can come in and help persuade the client to continue the therapy.

Answer

The practical nurse must refuse the spouse's request and explain that medication cannot be given to force a treatment the competent client has declined.
The correct response protects the client's autonomy. Every competent adult has the legal and ethical right to refuse any medical treatment, including life-sustaining therapy. Administering an anti-anxiety medication to sedate the client and force compliance against their will is a severe violation of their rights and constitutes a chemical restraint.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the client's legal status regarding healthcare decision-making.
The scenario states the client is awake, oriented, and possesses legal capacity.
Establishing capacity determines who has the legal right to make or refuse medical decisions.
2
Determine the ethical and legal implications of the spouse's request.
Administering a sedative to force a refused treatment is a violation of autonomy, constitutes chemical restraint, and is legally considered battery.
Nurses are legally mandated to protect clients from unauthorized interventions and chemical restraints.
3
Select the action that upholds the client's rights.
The nurse must advocate for the client by clearly informing the spouse that the medication cannot be administered against the client's wishes.
Client advocacy requires the nurse to defend the client's right to self-determination, even when family members disagree.

Key Concept

Client Autonomy and Right to Refuse Treatment
Rate this question

Topics

Client Rights and Advocacy

More questions from this topic