Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is refusing a blood transfusion for religious reasons. The client's partner wants the client to have the blood transfusion. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

1) Respect the client's religious beliefs and support their decision to refuse the blood transfusion
2) Convince the client to have the blood transfusion against their religious beliefs
3) Consult with the healthcare team and the client's partner to find a compromise
4) Ignore the client's wishes and proceed with the blood transfusion

Answer 1

In cases where a client refuses a blood transfusion for religious reasons, a nurse must respect the client's autonomy and not proceed with the transfusion against their wishes, even if the client's partner disagrees.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to an ethical dilemma faced by a nurse when a client refuses a blood transfusion for religious reasons despite the partner's wish for them to receive it. In such a case, the nurse must respect the client's autonomy and right to refuse treatment. This respects the ethical principle of autonomy and the legal rights of the patient. Healthcare professionals are bound to respect the informed decisions of competent adults regarding their own medical care, even when those decisions may result in harm to the patient.

According to ethical standards in healthcare, it is crucial that patients have the right to make decisions about their own health. This is even more significant when the refusal is based on deeply held religious beliefs. A nurse or any other healthcare professional should not ignore the client's wishes and proceed with a medical treatment, including a blood transfusion, against the client's will. Instead, the nurse should explain the situation to the client's partner and support both individuals in understanding the implications of the decision, while continuing to provide the best possible care within the limits of the client's consent.