Author Question: Some nurses are debating about the appropriate action to take in relation to a particular family. ... (Read 59 times)

strangeaffliction · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

Some nurses are debating about the appropriate action to take in relation to a particular family. The father is ill, and the other family members have chosen to continue working rather than take time off to care for the ill family member

One nurse states, It is a wife's responsibility to care for an ill husband. Which of the following ethical approaches is being used by this nurse?
a. Consequentialism
b. Communitarianism
c. Deontological ethics
d. Principlism

Question 2

The nurse learns that a family has decided not to accept medical intervention for a health care problem because paying for the care would drastically reduce the family's resources and ability to meet the needs of other family members.

Ethically, which of the following actions should be taken by the nurse?
a. Appreciate that the family has made the decision that it feels is best and take no further action if it is clear the family has made an informed choice.
b. Stress that each individual in society has a right to health care and the family will have to create some way to raise funds for the needed treatment.
c. Talk to the media to see whether a campaign to raise funds for the family can be created.
d. Try to convince the agency to give the care for free, even if it means economic stress for the agency, because the medical need is obvious.

olivia_paige29 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The nurse is focusing on duty, which is a deontological approach based on the moral obligation to engage in certain actions.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
As Callahan described, although the nurse may attempt moral persuasion to change the family's values, in the absence of immediate and grievous harm, no ethical requirement exists to interfere with the family's values.