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Question

Difficulty: HardEthical Practice

Match each complex clinical scenario described on the left with the core ethical nursing principle it most directly demonstrates on the right.

  • Refusing to administer a prescribed chemotherapy dose after calculating that it significantly exceeds the safe therapeutic limit based on the client's body surface area.Nonmaleficence
  • Allocating limited trauma bays and nursing staff based strictly on clinical acuity rather than the chronological order of client arrival in the emergency department.Justice
  • Informing a client about their terminal diagnosis in response to a direct question, despite the family's explicit request to withhold this information.Veracity
  • Ensuring a colleague delivers a client's requested antiemetic medication within the exact timeframe promised, after being suddenly called to assist with a cardiac arrest.Fidelity

Answer

Refusing the unsafe dose matches with Nonmaleficence; allocating resources by acuity matches with Justice; answering honestly about a diagnosis matches with Veracity; and ensuring a promised task is completed by a colleague matches with Fidelity.
Each scenario illustrates a distinct ethical dilemma requiring a specific core principle. Refusing a dangerous order is the essence of doing no harm (Nonmaleficence). Sorting clients by acuity ensures fair resource distribution (Justice). Telling the truth to a client despite family objections fulfills the obligation of honesty (Veracity). Finally, ensuring a promised intervention occurs, even when redirected to a code blue, maintains faithfulness to the client (Fidelity).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the chemotherapy scenario.
The nurse identifies a dangerous dose and stops its administration.
This action actively avoids causing injury or suffering to the client, aligning directly with the principle of 'do no harm' (Nonmaleficence).
2
Analyze the emergency department triage scenario.
Resources are distributed based on acuity rather than a first-come, first-served basis.
Triage decisions that allocate limited healthcare resources fairly according to medical need represent the principle of Justice.
3
Analyze the family conflict over the terminal diagnosis.
The nurse chooses to answer the client's direct question truthfully instead of adhering to the family's wish for secrecy.
The obligation to provide truthful information to the client, maintaining trust and respecting their right to know, defines Veracity.
4
Analyze the antiemetic medication scenario.
The nurse delegates the task to ensure the client receives the medication exactly when promised, despite an intervening emergency.
Honoring commitments and promises made to clients, even when facing conflicting urgent priorities, demonstrates Fidelity.

Key Concept

Application of Core Ethical Principles in Nursing Practice
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Ethical Practice

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