Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing Related

Review Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing related questions and content

When first diagnosed with Parkinson disease, how can the patient and family best avoid future ethical dilemmas concerning the patient's care?

  • A. Work with the patient and family to create an advanced plan of care.
  • B. Explain to the family that the patient's cognitive function will deteriorate as time passes.
  • C. Discuss the patient's religious and spiritual concerns to identify potential problems.
  • D. Identify which family members will be in control of decision making for the patient.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Work with the patient and family to create an advanced plan of care. This is the best way to avoid ethical dilemmas because it involves proactive decision-making and communication among all parties involved. By creating an advanced plan of care, the patient and family can outline the patient's preferences, values, and goals for future care, ensuring that decisions align with the patient's wishes. This helps prevent potential conflicts and ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding the patient's care.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect:
B: Explaining cognitive decline does not directly address how to avoid ethical dilemmas and may cause unnecessary distress.
C: Discussing religious and spiritual concerns is important but may not specifically address future ethical dilemmas related to care decisions.
D: Identifying family members in control of decision-making does not necessarily prevent ethical dilemmas and may overlook the patient's autonomy and preferences.