The client has been diagnosed with malignant bone cancer and the ...

[nenivikky]

The client has been diagnosed with malignant bone cancer and the treatment involves chemo-therapy on an outpatient basis.
 
  While treating the cancer the client unfortunately becomes very ill, experiences significant side effects from the therapy, and has a severe reduction in the quality of life. The specific ethical principle that is in question in this situation is:
  1. Veracity
  2. Fidelity
  3. Justice
  4. Nonmaleficence

Question 2

Which of the following statements best reflects the nurse's ethical concern for nonmaleficence regarding the client's treatment plan?
 
  1. The radiation therapy has not substantially decreased the client's tumor related pain.
  2. The client expressed the idea that this treatment was definitively going to cure her cancer:
  3. The client's family requested that she not be informed of the seriousness of her cardiac condition.
  4. The procedure is quite invasive, and there is little chance that it will improve the client's quality of life.

[nathang24]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: 4
Nonmaleficence is the avoidance of harm or hurt. Whether the discomforts of treatment are ben-efiting the client or are worse than the disease itself have to be considered. The health care pro-fessional tries to balance the risks and benefits of a plan of care while striving to do the least harm possible. Veracity refers to truthfulness. This situation is not questioning truthfulness. Fi-delity refers to the agreement to keep promises. This situation does not question fidelity. Justice refers to fairness. This situation is not a matter of justice.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: 4
Nonmaleficence is the avoidance of harm or hurt. Whether the discomforts of treatment are ben-efiting the client or are worse than the disease itself have to be considered. The health care pro-fessional tries to balance the risks and benefits of a plan of care while striving to do the least harm possible. The remaining options are related to veracity (truthfulness), fidelity (keeping a promise), and possibly fairness.