Concepts of Family Health Care Related

Review Concepts of Family Health Care related questions and content

Which statement describes the basis of an ethical dilemma?

  • A. It's so difficult when the client doesn't agree with the treatment team.'
  • B. The client insists on behaving in a manner that will likely cause him injury.'
  • C. It's difficult to determine who makes decisions for an incompetent client without a medical surrogate.'
  • D. There are only two treatment choices; both are very painful and neither has a high rate of success.'
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why answer D is correct:
1. An ethical dilemma involves a situation where there is a conflict between two morally acceptable choices.
2. In this scenario, the dilemma is presented as having only two treatment choices which are both painful and have low success rates.
3. The basis of an ethical dilemma is the difficulty in making a decision when faced with two undesirable options.
4. Therefore, option D accurately describes the essence of an ethical dilemma.
Summary of why other choices are incorrect:
A. Focuses on client-team disagreement, not a true ethical dilemma.
B. Describes a situation of potential harm but not a conflict between two morally acceptable choices.
C. Discusses decision-making for an incompetent client, which is a different ethical issue than presented in the question.