The emergency department nurse cares for a 17-year-old adolescent who is diagnosed with cervical cancer secondary to human papillomavirus.The patient declines treatment,saying,"I don't want my parents to know I have been sexually active,and if they find out about the cancer,they'll figure out the rest of it." The nurse explains the risk of death if the cancer is not treated,but the patient continues to refuse therapy.What conflicting principles is this nurse facing as the result of this patient's choices?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This nurse has to choose between maintaining the confidentiality (one aspect of autonomy)of the patient's health information versus the harm that will come to the patient if confidentiality is maintained (i.e.,nonmaleficence).This nurse has to choose between maintaining the confidentiality of the patient's health information (an aspect of autonomy); however,veracity is the duty to tell the truth and is not a component of this scenario.Fidelity relates to fulfilling one's obligations and maintaining one's commitments; justice is the obligation to be fair.Neither fidelity nor justice is well described by this scenario.Again,veracity is the duty to tell the truth,and does not apply here; beneficence is the concept of doing good,which is not in conflict in this scenario because the nurse has done everything possible to help this patient make an informed choice.

The Emergency Department Nurse Cares for a 17-Year-Old Adolescent Who