End-of-life Care and Palliative Care > Fundamentals
Exam Review
Ethical and Legal Considerations in End-of-Life Care
Total Questions : 4
Showing 4 questions, Sign in for moreA nurse is caring for a client who has terminal cancer and is receiving hospice care at home. The client's spouse asks the nurse to administer a higher dose of morphine to the client to hasten death. What is the nurse's best response?
Explanation
The nurse should empathize with the spouse's grief, but refuse to administer a higher dose of morphine to the client to hasten death. This would be considered active euthanasia, which is illegal and violates the ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence.
Incorrect options:
B) "I will contact the hospice physician and ask for a prescription for a higher dose of morphine." - This is an incorrect response, as the nurse should not seek a prescription for a higher dose of morphine without the client's consent and without a valid indication. This could also be seen as an attempt to facilitate euthanasia.
C) "I will report you to the authorities for requesting euthanasia." - This is an incorrect response, as the nurse should not threaten or intimidate the spouse for expressing their feelings. The nurse should provide support and education to the spouse and respect their right to autonomy.
D) "I will discuss your request with the client and respect their wishes." - This is an incorrect response, as the nurse should not involve the client in a decision that is illegal and unethical. The nurse should protect the client's rights and dignity and advocate for their best interests.
A client who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has an advance directive that states they do not want any life-sustaining measures, including artificial nutrition and hydration, if they become unable to make decisions for themselves. The client's family disagrees with this decision and asks the nurse to insert a feeding tube in the client. What should the nurse do?
A) Insert the feeding tube in the client, as the family has the right to make decisions for the client.
B) Refuse to insert the feeding tube in the client, as the advance directive is legally binding and must be honored.
C) Consult with the ethics committee and seek a resolution that respects both the client's and the family's wishes.
D) Ask the physician to override the advance directive and order artificial nutrition and hydration for the client.
Explanation
The nurse should respect the client's autonomy and follow their advance directive, which is a legal document that expresses their wishes regarding end-of-life care. The nurse should not insert a feeding tube in the client, as this would violate their right to self-determination and informed consent.
Incorrect options:
A) Insert the feeding tube in the client, as the family has the right to make decisions for the client. - This is an incorrect option, as the family does not have the right to make decisions for the client that are contrary to their advance directive. The family should be educated about the purpose and scope of the advance directive and supported in coping with their emotions.
C) Consult with the ethics committee and seek a resolution that respects both
the client's and the family's wishes. - This is an incorrect option, as there is no need to consult with the ethics committee when there is a clear advance directive that states the client's wishes. The ethics committee can be involved if there is a conflict or uncertainty about the interpretation or validity of the advance directive.
D) Ask the physician to override the advance directive and order artificial nutrition and hydration for the client. - This is an incorrect option, as the physician cannot override the advance directive without the client's consent or a court order. The physician should respect the client's autonomy and follow their advance directive.
A nurse is providing palliative care to a client who has end-stage heart failure. The client tells the nurse that they want to donate their organs after death. What should the nurse do?
Explanation
Rationale: The nurse should document the client's request and notify the organ Procurement organization, which is responsible for evaluating the client's eligibility, obtaining consent, and coordinating the donation process. The nurse should respect
the client's autonomy and support their decision.
Incorrect options:
A) Encourage the client to discuss their decision with their family and obtain their consent. - This is an incorrect option, as the client does not need their family's consent to donate their organs. The client has the right to make decisions about their own body and health care. The nurse should encourage the client to inform their family of their decision, but not pressure them to do so.
B) Inform the client that they are not eligible for organ donation due to their medical condition. - This is an incorrect option, as the nurse is not qualified to determine
the client's eligibility for organ donation. The nurse should not discourage or misinform the client about organ donation. The nurse should refer the client to the organ procurement organization, which will assess the client's suitability and availability of organs.
D) Explain the process and risks of organ donation to the client and obtain their informed consent. - This is an incorrect option, as the nurse is not responsible for obtaining informed consent for organ donation. The nurse should provide general information and education to the client about organ donation, but not go into details or risks that are beyond their scope of Practice. The nurse should refer the client to the organ procurement organization, which will obtain informed consent from the client or their designated representative.
A client who has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order is admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. The client develops respiratory distress and requires intubation and mechanical ventilation. The nurse notices that the DNR order is not documented in the electronic health record (EHR). What should the nurse do?
Explanation
Rationale: The nurse should verify the DNR order with the client or their surrogate decision-maker and document it in the EHR before proceeding. The nurse should ensure that the DNR order is clear, current, and consistent with the client's wishes and goals of care. The nurse should also communicate the DNR order to other members of the health care team.
Incorrect options:
A) Intubate and ventilate the client, as the DNR order is not valid without documentation in the EHR. - This is an incorrect option, as intubating and ventilating the client would violate their right to refuse treatment and die naturally. The DNR order is valid even if it is not documented in the EHR, as long as it is written by a physician and signed by the client or their surrogate decision-maker.
B) Contact the physician who wrote the DNR order and ask them to enter it in the EHR as soon as possible. - This is an incorrect option, as contacting the physician who wrote the DNR order would delay providing appropriate care to the client. The nurse should verify and document the DNR order themselves, as they are accountable for following it.
C) Refuse to intubate and ventilate the client, as the DNR order is valid regardless of documentation in the EHR. - This is an incorrect option, as refusing to intubate and ventilate the client without verifying and documenting the DNR order would put the nurse at risk of legal liability and professional misconduct. The nurse should ensure that there is evidence of the DNR order in the EHR before acting on it.
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