Final answer:
The choice of a patient to refuse surgery for coronary artery blockages exemplifies the principle of patient autonomy. Nurses must respect such choices, provided the patient is informed and capable. Non-surgical treatments including lifestyle changes and medications provide alternatives to intervention like coronary artery bypass grafting or angioplasty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patient's decision to refuse surgery, despite having significant blockages in his coronary arteries, is an example of patient autonomy. Patient autonomy is a fundamental principle in medical ethics which asserts that patients have the right to make their own decisions regarding their health and medical treatments, based on their personal values, beliefs, and preferences. When a patient chooses not to undergo a potentially life-saving procedure like a coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), angioplasty, or endarterectomy, they are exercising their autonomy. As healthcare professionals, nurses and other clinicians must respect such decisions, even when they are not in alignment with medical advice, as long as the patient is informed and capable of making such a decision.
Long-term changes to lifestyle and behavior, such as weight loss, smoking cessation, regular exercise, and adoption of a diet low in sodium and saturated fats, are important non-surgical approaches to managing coronary artery disease (CAD). Additionally, a regimen of medications may be prescribed to help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, and the risk of clotting, providing an alternative to surgical intervention. The principle of utilitarianism would involve analyzing this choice by considering the overall happiness and outcomes for the largest number of people, which is a separate ethical approach from respect for patient autonomy.