The nurse is caring for the patient with a history of addiction. The nurse notes that although the patient is in severe pain, the patient's requests for pain medication have been ignored. Which ethical principle is the nurse exercising when advocating for appropriate pain relief?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

3. It is a nurse's ethical obligation to practice beneficence, or "doing good." In this case, the nurse is advocating on behalf of a patient who may not be receiving appropriate care. Generally, beneficence implies that the nurse is acting in the autonomous interest of the patient. Justice refers to treating all patients fairly and equally. Autonomy refers to a person's right to self-determination. Nonmaleficence is the principle of "doing no harm."

The Nurse Is Caring for the Patient with a History