Current Issues in Maternal Newborn Nursing Related

Review Current Issues in Maternal Newborn Nursing related questions and content

A nurse is working with an active labor patient who is in preterm labor and has been designated as high risk. The patient is very apprehensive and asks the nurse, “Is everything going to be all right?” The nurse replies, “Yes, everything will be okay.” Following delivery via an emergency cesarean birth, the newborn undergoes resuscitation and does not survive. The patient is distraught over the outcome and blames the nurse for telling her that everything would be okay. Which ethical principle did the nurse violate?

  • A. Autonomy N R I G B.C M U S N T O
  • B. Fidelity
  • C. Beneficence
  • D. Accountability
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Beneficence. The nurse violated the ethical principle of beneficence by providing false reassurance to the patient, which ultimately led to a negative outcome. Beneficence means to do good and act in the best interest of the patient. By giving false hope, the nurse failed to provide truthful information that could have prepared the patient for potential complications.

A: Autonomy - This choice is not the correct answer because autonomy refers to respecting the patient's right to make their own decisions, which was not directly violated in this scenario.

B: Fidelity - This choice is not the correct answer because fidelity refers to being faithful and keeping promises to the patient, which is not the primary issue in this case.

D: Accountability - This choice is not the correct answer because accountability refers to taking responsibility for one's actions, which the nurse may need to do in this situation, but it is not the primary ethical principle violated.

In summary, the nurse violated the ethical