A nurse is working with an active labor patient who is in preterm labor and has been designated as high risk. The patient is very apprehensive and asks the nurse, "Is everything going to be all right?" The nurse replies, "Yes, everything will be okay." Following delivery via an emergency cesarean birth, the newborn undergoes resuscitation and does not survive. The patient is distraught over the outcome and blames the nurse for telling her that everything would be okay. Which ethical principle did the nurse violate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In this type of situation, the nurse (and/or health care provider) cannot make statements or promises that cannot be kept. Telling the patient that everything will be okay is not based on the accuracy of medical diagnosis and should not be conveyed to the patient. The other ethical principles of autonomy (self-determination), beneficence (greatest good), and accountability (accepting responsibility) do not apply in this situation.

A Nurse Is Working with an Active Labor Patient Who