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Difficulty: Very hardEthical Practice

Nurses encounter complex clinical situations that require the precise application of core ethical principles. Match each clinical nursing scenario to the primary ethical principle it most directly demonstrates.

  • Committing to return with an antiemetic in 10 minutes, but delegating the administration to a colleague when unexpectedly pulled into a resuscitation effort.Fidelity
  • Refusing a provider's directive to administer a normal saline injection while verbally telling the client it is a potent intravenous analgesic.Veracity
  • Withholding a scheduled dose of a negative chronotropic medication after assessing a client's apical heart rate at 54 beats per minute and noting visual halos.Nonmaleficence
  • Allocating limited intensive care beds during a mass casualty incident based strictly on survivability and acuity rather than a client's social prominence.Justice
  • Supporting a mentally competent adult client with an acute gastrointestinal bleed who chooses to sign out against medical advice for personal reasons.Autonomy

Answer

1 matches Fidelity, 2 matches Veracity, 3 matches Nonmaleficence, 4 matches Justice, and 5 matches Autonomy.
Each scenario illustrates a core ethical principle. Delegating care to meet a promised timeline represents fidelity. Refusing to lie about a placebo represents veracity. Withholding toxic medication represents nonmaleficence. Fair triage based on acuity represents justice. Honoring a competent client's refusal of care represents autonomy.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the first scenario involving the delegated antiemetic administration.
The nurse honors the timeframe promised to the client by ensuring someone else completes the task.
Fidelity requires nurses to be loyal and keep their promises to clients.
2
Evaluate the second scenario involving the saline injection.
The nurse refuses to participate in deceiving the client about the nature of the medication.
Veracity mandates truth-telling and strictly forbids deceiving clients, even if the provider believes a placebo will reduce anxiety.
3
Assess the third scenario involving withholding the medication.
The nurse identifies signs of drug toxicity and stops the administration to prevent further physiological deterioration.
Nonmaleficence is the fundamental duty to 'do no harm' and protect clients from identifiable risks.
4
Examine the fourth scenario concerning triage bed allocation.
The nurse makes decisions based solely on objective medical need rather than external social factors.
Justice dictates that healthcare resources must be distributed fairly and equitably among all populations.
5
Review the final scenario regarding the client leaving against medical advice.
The nurse advocates for the client's decision despite the inherent medical risks of an active bleed.
Autonomy guarantees a competent individual's right to self-determination and the freedom to accept or refuse medical care.

Key Concept

Ethical Principles in Nursing Practice
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Ethical Practice

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