A patient with a head injury is confused and combative and wants to leave the hospital, repeatedly getting out of bed.The nurses obtain an order for soft wrist restraints and a vest restraint.This action best demonstrates:
A) beneficence.
B) justice.
C) nonmaleficence.
D) paternalism.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This patient is confused and combative after sustaining a head injury.It is reasonable to think the patient does not understand the implications of his or her actions and thus is incapable of making informed decisions.Thus, the nurse needs to use professional judgment and provide care that meets the patient's needs.Overriding a patient's choice for his or her good is called paternalism and can be justified in specific situations.Beneficence is doing good, but it must take into consideration the patient's needs and wishes in order to provide good.However, this patient is confused and combative and unable to articulate wishes in a way that the nurse can use them when providing good.This is not the best answer to this question because it does not take into account the patient's diminished cognitive abilities.Justice means using health care resources equally and is not applicable to this situation.Nonmaleficence means doing no harm, which is not the best answer in this case.

A Patient with a Head Injury Is Confused and Combative