A client with leukemia is being considered for a bone marrow
transplant. The health care team is discussing the risks and
benefits of this treatment and other possible treatments with the
goal of inflicting the least possible harm on the client. Which
principle of health care ethics is the team practicing?
Justice
Fidelity
Autonomy
Co
orrrec
ct! Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the avoidance of hurt or
harm. Remember that in health care ethics, ethical
practice involves not only the will to do good but also the
equal commitment to do no harm. Health care
professionals try to balance the risks and benefits of a
plan of care while striving to do the least possible harm.
Justice refers to fairness and equity and ensuring fair
allocation of resources, such as nursing care for all clients.
Fidelity is the keeping of promises made to clients,
families, and other health care professionals. Autonomy
refers to a person’s independence and represents an
agreement to respect another’s right to determine his or
her course of action.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use knowledge of the subject to
help you with the process of elimination. Think about the
definition of each item in the options. Note the relationship
of the words “least possible harm” in the question and the
definition of nonmaleficence. Review the principles of
health care ethics if you had difficulty with this question.
Rationale: Beneficence is taking action to help others.
Although administration of a child’s immunization might
cause discomfort, the benefits of protection from disease
outweigh the temporary discomfort. Fidelity is keeping
promises made to clients, families, and other health care
professionals. Autonomy is a person’s independence.
Respecting another’s autonomy means that you are
agreeing to respect that person’s right to determine his or
her course of action. Justice refers to fairness and equity,
including fair allocation of resources, such as nursing care
for all clients.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, beneficence.
Recalling that beneficence refers to taking action to help
others will direct you to the correct option. Review the
principles of health care ethics if you had difficulty with this
question.
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