Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Critical Thinking, Ethical Decision Making and the Nursing Process Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Critical Thinking, Ethical Decision Making and the Nursing Process related questions and content

A nurse has been providing ethical care for many years and is aware of the need to maintain the ethical principle of nonmaleficence. Which of the following actions would be considered a contradiction of this principle?

  • A. Discussing a DNR order with a terminally ill patient
  • B. Assisting a semi-independent patient with ADLs
  • C. Refusing to administer pain medication as ordered
  • D. Providing more care for one patient than for another
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The duty not to inflict as well as prevent and remove harm is termed nonmaleficence. Discussing a DNR order with a terminally ill patient and assisting a patient with ADLs would not be considered contradictions to the nurses duty of nonmaleficence. Some patients justifiably require more care than others.