An 82-year-old alert and oriented client with end-stage heart failure informs the nurse, "I do not want to take my heart medications anymore. I just want to be kept comfortable." The client's adult child is visibly upset and demands that the nurse administer the medications anyway, stating, "My parent is just confused because of their age." Which action by the nurse represents the most appropriate ethical and legal practice?
- Withhold the medications, document the client's refusal, and notify the healthcare provider of the client's wishes.Cevap
- BAdminister the medications, assuming the client lacks decision-making capacity due to normal aging processes.
- CAsk the client, "Why would you want to stop your treatments when your family cares about you so much?"
- DDelegate the medication administration to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) so the family feels their requests are being met.
Cevap
Withhold the medications, document the client's refusal, and notify the healthcare provider of the client's wishes.
The correct answer demonstrates advocacy and respect for the principle of autonomy. An alert, oriented, and competent adult has the absolute right to refuse any medical treatment, including life-sustaining medications. The nurse's role is to respect this decision, document it accurately, and inform the interdisciplinary team so the care plan can be adjusted to focus on the client's comfort.
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Anahtar Kavram
Client Autonomy and Informed Refusal