Final answer:
Failure to ensure the patient understands the risks of surgery would violate the principle of autonomy, which allows patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Adequate patient understanding and consent are crucial in medical ethics.
Step-by-step explanation:
If not clarified, the failure to ensure that a 73-year-old patient with hypertension understands the risks associated with triple cardiac bypass surgery would be a violation of the principle of autonomy. This principle emphasizes that patients have the right to make informed decisions about their healthcare based upon full understanding of their treatment options and associated risks. It is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure that patients, or their designated surrogates when patients are unable to fully comprehend, receive and understand all necessary information to provide informed consent.
Violating this principle could lead to medical and ethical complications, as it could be argued the patient did not consent to the surgery with full knowledge of its implications. Healthcare professionals must accommodate patients' needs, such as those with hearing difficulties, to uphold the principle of autonomy and foster an ethical clinical environment.