Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions Related

Review Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions related questions and content

A 22-year-old patient with schizophrenia is refusing his antipsychotic medication. He states, `I don’t like the dopey way it makes me feel. I feel like I’m walking under water when I take it.​ The nurse explains to him, `Your schizophrenia is caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain, and this medication helps fix that chemical imbalance. You need to take it so your symptoms will get better.​ This conversation reflects a conflict between which two types of ethical principles?

  • A. Autonomy and justice
  • B. Paternalism and veracity
  • C. Justice and nonmaleficence
  • D. Autonomy and beneficence
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Autonomy and beneficence. Autonomy refers to the patient's right to make decisions about their own healthcare. In this case, the patient is refusing medication based on how it makes them feel, which reflects their autonomy. Beneficence refers to the healthcare provider's duty to act in the patient's best interest. The nurse is trying to persuade the patient to take the medication by explaining its benefits for treating the chemical imbalance associated with schizophrenia. This reflects the conflict between respecting the patient's autonomy while also promoting their well-being through beneficence.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect:
A: Autonomy and justice do not directly apply to the conflict in the scenario.
B: Paternalism involves overriding a patient's autonomy for their own good, but veracity (truthfulness) is not a central issue in this scenario.
C: Justice and nonmaleficence are not the primary ethical principles in conflict; the focus is on autonomy and benef