Ethical and Legal Issues Related to Pain Management in Children
Ethical and Legal Issues Related to Pain Management in Children ( 25 Questions)
The nurse understands that decisions regarding the use of analgesia may involve balancing the child’s pain relief with potential risks and side effects.
Ethical considerations arise when healthcare providers must determine the appropriate level of pain management.
Which of the following statements by the nurse demonstrates an understanding of this ethical dilemma?
This statement is not in line with ethical principles. Administering analgesics regardless of the child's pain level may not be in the child's best interest and can lead to overmedication and potential harm.
Withholding analgesics solely based on the nurse's belief is not an ethical approach. Pain management decisions should be based on the child's pain assessment and needs, not the nurse's personal judgment.
This is the correct answer. Assessing the child's pain level and administering analgesics accordingly is the ethical approach to pain management. It considers the child's pain and ensures pain relief while minimizing potential risks and side effects.
Administering analgesics only if the child requests them may not be appropriate in all situations. It's essential to assess the child's pain level and provide pain relief as needed, even if the child does not explicitly request it.
Choice A rationale:
This statement is not in line with ethical principles.
Administering analgesics regardless of the child's pain level may not be in the child's best interest and can lead to overmedication and potential harm.
Choice B rationale:
Withholding analgesics solely based on the nurse's belief is not an ethical approach.
Pain management decisions should be based on the child's pain assessment and needs, not the nurse's personal judgment.
Choice C rationale:
This is the correct answer.
Assessing the child's pain level and administering analgesics accordingly is the ethical approach to pain management.
It considers the child's pain and ensures pain relief while minimizing potential risks and side effects.
Choice D rationale:
Administering analgesics only if the child requests them may not be appropriate in all situations.
It's essential to assess the child's pain level and provide pain relief as needed, even if the child does not explicitly request it.