Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Legal and Ethical Issues Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Legal and Ethical Issues related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a client who has been intubated and on a mechanical ventilator and has been restrained with soft wrist restraints. The client no longer requires the restraints, so the nurse removes them. What type of ethical decision making does the nurse display?

  • A. Fidelity
  • B. Autonomy
  • C. Beneficence
  • D. Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Beneficence is the duty to do good for the clients assigned to the nurse's care. The nurse has a duty to remove wrist restraints whenever possible (removing a harm) and to help the client regain independence (promoting and doing good). Fidelity is the duty to maintain commitments of professional obligations and responsibilities. Autonomy refers to a client's right to self-determination or the freedom to make choices without opposition. Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm to the client.