Final Answer:
The registered nurse caring for the 9-year-old patient who is resistant to physical therapy is demonstrating the ethical principle of beneficence. So, the correct option is d. Beneficence.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this scenario, beneficence, which prioritizes the patient's well-being and best interests, is exemplified by the nurse's actions. Despite the patient's distress, the nurse recognizes the necessity of physical therapy for proper wound healing. This principle underscores the obligation of healthcare providers to act in ways that benefit the patient, even if it involves temporary discomfort or emotional distress. It's about the nurse's commitment to promoting the child's health and recovery by ensuring necessary treatments, aligning with the principle's emphasis on doing good and actively contributing to the patient's welfare.
However, it's crucial to consider autonomy as well. Autonomy pertains to respecting the patient's right to make decisions about their care. While the child's autonomy is significant, in this critical situation, the nurse must balance the child's preferences with the medical necessity of the therapy. The nurse is seeking the child's cooperation but ultimately upholds the obligation to provide essential care for the child's benefit.
Moreover, bioethics, the broader study of ethical issues in healthcare, encompasses beneficence and autonomy within its considerations. It involves navigating complex ethical dilemmas while ensuring the patient's well-being remains paramount. Justice, another ethical principle, involves fair and equal treatment, but in this context, beneficence takes precedence as it directly addresses the patient's immediate need for healing.
In summary, while respecting the child's autonomy, the nurse's prioritization of the patient's well-being through essential treatment aligns with the ethical principle of beneficence in ensuring the best outcome for the 9-year-old patient's recovery.
So, the correct option is d. Beneficence.