A nurse is applying the ethical principle of non-maleficence. ...

[londonang]

A nurse is applying the ethical principle of non-maleficence. Which of the following describes the action that the nurse is taking?
 
  a. Administering medications using the five rights
  b. Allowing clients to be active participants in their care
  c. Providing patient privacy when delivering care
  d. Referring a client to a physical therapist

Question 2

There are two medically indigent clients in the clinic who have come to get their monthly supply of free insulin. There is only enough for one client. Which of the following actions would the nurse take first?
 
  a. Identify all options
  b. Make a decision
  c. Gather additional information
  d. Act and assess decisions made

[al]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Non-maleficence requires that one do no harm. It requires that health care professionals act ac-cording to the standards of due care, always seeking to produce the least amount of harm possi-ble. Providing privacy when delivering care demonstrates the client's right to privacy. Allowing clients to be active participants in their care refers to the ethical principle of the right to autono-my. Referring a client to a physical therapist demonstrates the nursing role of referral agent.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The steps of the ethical decision-making framework are to first identify the ethical issues and di-lemmas, then place them within a meaningful context, obtain all relevant facts, reformulate ethi-cal issues and dilemmas if needed, consider appropriate approaches to actions or options, make decisions and take action, and evaluate decisions and action.