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

The physician has recommended an amniocentesis for an 18-year-old primiparous woman. The patient is 34 weeks gestation and does not want this procedure. The physician is insistent the patient have the procedure. The physician arranges for the amniocentesis to be performed. The nurse should recognize that the physician is in violation of what ethical principle?

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

Rationale: The principle of autonomy specifies that individuals have the ability to make a choice free from external constraints. The physicians actions in this case violate this principle. This action may or may not violate the principle of beneficence. Veracity centers on truth-telling and nonmaleficence is avoiding the infliction of harm.