Ethical and Legal Considerations in Chronic Illness Care
Ethical and Legal Considerations in Chronic Illness Care ( 4 Questions)
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has signed a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order and has requested no further interventions for their condition. The client develops acute respiratory distress and asks the nurse for help. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
This option is insensitive and unethical, as it implies that the nurse has abandoned the client and does not care about their well-being. The nurse has a duty to provide compassionate care to all clients, regardless of their code status or prognosis.
This option is inappropriate and unethical, as it disregards the client's wishes and autonomy. The nurse should not attempt to change or revoke the client's DNR order without their consent, unless there is evidence of a change of mind or new information that may affect their decision.
The nurse should respect the client's DNR order, which means that they do not want CPR or other life-sustaining measures in case of cardiac or respiratory arrest. However, this does not mean that they do not want any treatment or comfort care for their condition. The nurse should provide palliative interventions, such as oxygen and morphine, to relieve the client's symptoms and suffering.
This option is inappropriate and unethical, as it violates the client's DNR order and autonomy. The nurse should not perform CPR or other life-sustaining measures on a client who has explicitly refused them, unless there is evidence of a change of mind or new information that may affect their decision.
The nurse should respect the client's DNR order, which means that they do not want CPR or other life-sustaining measures in case of cardiac or respiratory arrest. However, this does not mean that they do not want any treatment or comfort care for their condition. The nurse should provide palliative interventions, such as oxygen and morphine, to relieve the client's symptoms and suffering.
Incorrect options:
A) "I'm sorry, but you have signed a DNR order, so I cannot do anything for you." - This option is insensitive and unethical, as it implies that the nurse has abandoned the client and does not care about their well-being. The nurse has a duty to provide compassionate care to all clients, regardless of their code status or prognosis.
B) "I will call your doctor and see if they can change your DNR order." - This option is inappropriate and unethical, as it disregards the client's wishes and autonomy. The nurse should not attempt to change or revoke the client's DNR order without their consent, unless there is evidence of a change of mind or new information that may affect their decision.
D) "I will initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if you stop breathing." - This option is inappropriate and unethical, as it violates the client's DNR order and autonomy. The nurse should not perform CPR or other life-sustaining measures on a client who has explicitly refused them, unless there is evidence of a change of mind or new information that may affect their decision.