A 28-year-old lady, gravida 2 para 1, arrives at the emergency center with vaginal bleeding. For the previous 24 hours, the patient has experienced vivid red spotting but no contractions or fluid leaking. She is 31 weeks pregnant as of her last menstrual cycle and has not had prenatal care this pregnancy. Her first pregnancy concluded in a simple spontaneous vaginal birth at term. The fetal heart rate and vital signs are normal. Physical examination reveals a nontender uterus that is the same size as at 31 weeks gestation. A full placenta previa is shown via a pelvic ultrasound. The findings are addressed with the patient, who expresses her desire for a vaginal birth.The physician says, "Unfortunately, the only safe option for delivery is a cesarean delivery." The physician's statement is an example of which of the following ethical principles?

Question

A 28-year-old lady, gravida 2 para 1, arrives at the emergency center with vaginal bleeding. For the previous 24 hours, the patient has experienced vivid red spotting but no contractions or fluid leaking. She is 31 weeks pregnant as of her last menstrual cycle and has not had prenatal care this pregnancy. Her first pregnancy concluded in a simple spontaneous vaginal birth at term. The fetal heart rate and vital signs are normal. Physical examination reveals a nontender uterus that is the same size as at 31 weeks gestation. A full placenta previa is shown via a pelvic ultrasound. The findings are addressed with the patient, who expresses her desire for a vaginal birth.The physician says, "Unfortunately, the only safe option for delivery is a cesarean delivery."  The physician's statement is an example of which of the following ethical principles?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Directive counseling is ethically appropriate when only one treatment option is medically reasonable and has clearly superior evidence-based support.  Patients with complete placenta previa should be counseled that cesarean delivery is medically necessary.

A 28-Year-Old Lady, Gravida 2 Para 1, Arrives at the Emergency