Question

To respect personal and organizational ethics, the nurse should:

a) Tell the patient that the medication is the only option
b) Hide the medication in the patient's food
c) Advise the patient not to take the drug
d) Ask the patient's doctor if there is an alternate medication

Answer 1

To respect ethics in healthcare, a nurse should ask the patient's doctor if an alternate medication is available, upholding the principles of autonomy and informed consent. Concealing medication in food or misleading the patient violates ethical standards.

Step-by-step explanation:

To respect personal and organizational ethics, a nurse should always consider the ethical principles that guide healthcare practice, including autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. In the scenario proposed, hiding the medication in the patient's food, telling the patient that the medication is the only option, or advising the patient not to take the drug directly contradict these principles, particularly autonomy and beneficence. Therefore, the most ethical action would be to ask the patient's doctor if there is an alternate medication, as this respects the patient's right to informed consent and seeks to prevent harm while promoting the patient's well-being. Furthermore, healthcare workers should always maintain honesty in communications with patients, uphold patient privacy and confidentiality, and ensure informed consent for all treatment decisions. Considering the principles of care ethics, it is important to engage with the patient, provide them with all necessary information, understand their concerns and preferences, and then work collaboratively toward a solution that respects the patient's values and the healthcare professional's ethical obligations.