A nurse is caring for an oriented adult client who was recently diagnosed with a terminal illness. The client states, "I do not want any further treatments; I just want to be kept comfortable." The client's adult child privately approaches the nurse and says, "You must give my parent the treatments anyway. They do not know what they are saying." Which action by the nurse best demonstrates adherence to the ethical principle of autonomy?
- Validating the client's decision to decline treatment and facilitating a transition to comfort-focused careCevap
- BProceeding with the prescribed life-prolonging therapies because preserving physiological stability is the highest priority
- CAsking the client, "Why do you want to stop treatment when there is still a chance it might help?"
- DReporting the adult child to the authorities immediately for suspected emotional abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult
Cevap
Validating the client's decision to decline treatment and facilitating a transition to comfort-focused care
The ethical principle of autonomy guarantees a competent client the right to make their own healthcare decisions, including the absolute right to refuse life-prolonging treatments. By validating the client's wishes and shifting the focus to comfort care, the nurse actively advocates for and respects the client's self-determination, even when family members disagree or are distressed.
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Anahtar Kavram
Client Autonomy in Healthcare Decision-Making