A decision has been made for an older client to receive ...

[khang]

A decision has been made for an older client to receive aggressive cancer therapy despite knowing that the therapy will actually be more harmful than the disease and subject the client to harmful chemicals.
 
  With which ethical principle is this nurse caring for this client struggling?
  1. Autonomy
  2. Justice
  3. Beneficence
  4. Nonmaleficence

Question 2

The administration of a hospital, along with nursing services, is planning to incorporate a struggling private clinic into the infrastructure of the hospital.
 
  Although relocating the clinic may cause transportation difficulty for some clients, keeping the clinic running will allow current employees as well as clients the continued benefit of the clinic. Which moral framework did the hospital leadership use to make this decision?
  1. Teleological theory
  2. Deontological theory
  3. Utilitarianism
  4. Caring theory

[nyrave]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Autonomy refers to the right to make one's own decisions. That is not what the nurse is having an ethical dilemma about.
Rationale 2: Justice is often referred to as fairness. That is not what the nurse is having an ethical dilemma about.
Rationale 3: Beneficence means doing good. In this case the benefits are not known, making the harm more real. Although aggressive cancer therapy is difficult to endure and given the age of the client, this case suggests beneficence, but there is a more appropriate option available.
Rationale 4: Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. Doing intentional harm is never acceptable in nursing. Placing a client at risk of harm is what is depicted in this scenario, and it occurs as a known consequence of a nursing intervention or some other type of treatment. It is unknown how much therapy will be of benefit to the client or whether it will actually do more harm.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Teleological theories look at the outcomes of an action and judge it to be right or wrong.
Rationale 2: Deontological theories, which are principles based, emphasize individual rights, duties, and obligations. In this situation, numerous people are involved with the clinic, not just one person.
Rationale 3: Utilitarianism views a good act as one that brings the most good and the least harm for the greatest number of people. Continuing to provide a service, even though it has to be relocated, is better than discontinuing something that clients continue to use and employees depend on.
Rationale 4: Caring theories stress courage, generosity, commitment, and the need to nurture and maintain relationships.