A patient who is terminally ill is experiencing great pain.To relieve the patient's suffering,the nurse needs to administer larger doses of morphine.This relieves the pain but also inhibits respiration.Which principle justifies the risk of harm?
A) Justice
B) Fidelity
C) Veracity
D) Double effect

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of Double Effect justifies the risk of harm in this situation. The nurse's primary intent is to relieve the patient's pain, and the harm caused by inhibiting respiration is an unintended secondary effect. The principle of Double Effect allows healthcare providers to pursue actions that have both good and bad consequences as long as the primary intent is good and the bad consequence is not intended.

A Patient Who Is Terminally Ill Is Experiencing Great Pain