Author Question: Which of the following statements best illustrates deontological ethical theory? a. I believe ... (Read 94 times)

laurencescou · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

Which of the following statements best illustrates deontological ethical theory?

a. I believe this disease was allowed to occur by a supreme being.
b. He has become a stronger individual through experiencing the loss of his father.
c. It would never be right for a person to stop cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts.
d. The chemotherapy did not cure this person, but it provided a better life for him.

Question 2

When speaking with the patient, the nurse discovers that the patient does not have a complete understanding of the surgical procedure. Which of the following courses of action should the nurse take?

a. Obtain the consent, as this is expected with preoperative anxiety.
b. Teach the patient all about the procedure.
c. Ask the unit manager to assist with a teaching plan.
d. Inform the surgeon, so that necessary information can be provided to the patient.

ms_sulzle · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Deontology defines actions as right or wrong based on their right-making characteristics, such as fidelity to promises, truthfulness, and justice (Beauchamp & Childress, 2001). Deontology does not look to the consequences of actions to determine the rightness or wrongness of the actions. Determining the wrongness of this statement may be based on fidelity to promises and be-neficence.
The statement, I believe this disease was allowed to occur by a supreme being does not reflect deontological ethical theory. It is based on feminist ethical theory because it reflects a relation-ship between disease and a supreme being.
The statement, He has become a stronger individual through experiencing the loss of his father does not best illustrate deontological ethical theory because it is citing a consequence. It is based on utilitarian ethical theory.
The statement, The chemotherapy did not cure this person, but it provided a better life for him does not best illustrate deontological ethical theory because it is citing a consequence. It based on utilitarian ethical theory.

Answer to Question 2

D

Feedback
A If the patient does not understand the surgical procedure, the patient would not be giving informed consent. It is the surgeon's responsibility to explain the procedure and obtain the informed consent.
B The nurse can augment the physician's explanations, but it is the physician's responsibility to teach the patient about the procedure. This teaching includes the need for the procedure, the steps involved, and the related risks, expected results, and alternative treatments.
C It is not the unit manager's responsibility to inform the patient about the procedure and obtain consent; this is the responsibility of the surgeon.
D Surgery cannot be legally or ethically performed until the patient understands the need for the procedure, the steps involved, and the related risks, expected results, and alternative treatments.