A 65-year-old competent client is recovering on the medical-surgical unit following a biopsy of a suspected malignant mass. The test results confirm terminal cancer. Before the healthcare provider discusses the findings with the client, the client's adult child pulls the nurse aside and states, "In our culture, we do not tell elders when they are dying because it destroys their spirit. Please tell my parent the tumor is benign." Shortly after, the nurse enters the room, and the alert client asks, "Did the results come back? Do I have cancer?"
Which of the following is the most appropriate ethical nursing action?
- AInform the client that the tumor is benign, honoring the adult child's cultural request to preserve the client's hope.
- BState to the client, "Try not to worry about the test results right now; your priority should be resting and recovering."
- Acknowledge the client's request for information and immediately collaborate with the healthcare provider to facilitate a joint discussion of the results.Cevap
- DAsk the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to assess the client's psychosocial readiness to receive bad news before calling the provider.
Cevap
The most appropriate action is to acknowledge the client's request for information and immediately collaborate with the healthcare provider to facilitate a joint discussion of the results.
The ethical principles of autonomy (the client's right to self-determination) and veracity (truth-telling) require that a competent client be informed of their medical status. While the family's cultural concerns should be approached with sensitivity, the competent client's direct question supersedes the family's request to withhold information. The nurse acts as an effective advocate by validating the client's inquiry and immediately collaborating with the healthcare provider. The provider must deliver the primary medical diagnosis, ensuring a coordinated and legally sound disclosure.
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Anahtar Kavram
Ethical principles of autonomy and veracity in the context of informed consent, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cultural competence.