Leadership Nursing Practice Questions Related

Review Leadership Nursing Practice Questions related questions and content

A registered nurse (RN) is caring for a patient who is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and has refused a blood transfusion even though her hemoglobin is dangerously low. After providing information about all the alternatives available and risks and benefits of each, the health-care provider allows the patient to determine which course of treatment she would prefer. The RN knows this is an example of which ethical principle?

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

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Autonomy. Autonomy is the ethical principle that emphasizes respecting the patient's right to make their own decisions about their healthcare. In this scenario, the RN respects the patient's autonomy by providing all necessary information and allowing the patient to choose whether or not to accept a blood transfusion, despite the potential risks. This decision-making process aligns with the patient's right to self-determination.

Summary of other choices:
B: Nonmaleficence - Focuses on avoiding harm to the patient, but in this case, the patient's autonomy takes precedence over nonmaleficence.
C: Beneficence - Involves acting in the patient's best interest, but in this scenario, the patient's autonomy to make decisions is the primary focus.
D: Distributive justice - Concerns fair distribution of resources, which is not directly relevant to the patient's right to autonomy in decision-making.