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 ethical considerations arise when determining the appropriate level of pain management, especially when potential risks and side effects are considered.
Which of the following actions should be taken by the nurse?
Administer analgesics only when requested by the patient. Administering analgesics only when requested by the patient may not be in the best interest of the pediatric patient, especially if the pain is severe. Patients, especially pediatric patients, may not always be able to express their pain adequately. Relying solely on patient requests may lead to inadequate pain relief and potential harm.
Administer analgesics as ordered, regardless of potential risks. Administering analgesics as ordered without considering potential risks is not an ideal approach. It's crucial to balance the relief of pain with the potential risks and side effects associated with analgesic medications. Failure to consider these risks may lead to adverse outcomes for the patient.
Balance pain relief with potential risks when administering analgesics. This is the correct choice. The nurse should aim to balance pain relief with the potential risks when administering analgesics. It is essential to provide adequate pain relief to the pediatric patient while also considering the possible side effects and risks associated with analgesic medications. This approach ensures that the patient's pain is managed effectively while minimizing harm.
Withhold analgesics if there are any potential risks. Withholding analgesics solely because of potential risks is not the best approach to pain management. It's essential to assess the benefits and risks of analgesic medications on a case-by-case basis. Completely withholding analgesics may result in unnecessary suffering for the patient.
Choice A rationale:
Administer analgesics only when requested by the patient.
Administering analgesics only when requested by the patient may not be in the best interest of the pediatric patient, especially if the pain is severe.
Patients, especially pediatric patients, may not always be able to express their pain adequately.
Relying solely on patient requests may lead to inadequate pain relief and potential harm.
Choice B rationale:
Administer analgesics as ordered, regardless of potential risks.
Administering analgesics as ordered without considering potential risks is not an ideal approach.
It's crucial to balance the relief of pain with the potential risks and side effects associated with analgesic medications.
Failure to consider these risks may lead to adverse outcomes for the patient.
Choice C rationale:
Balance pain relief with potential risks when administering analgesics.
This is the correct choice.
The nurse should aim to balance pain relief with the potential risks when administering analgesics.
It is essential to provide adequate pain relief to the pediatric patient while also considering the possible side effects and risks associated with analgesic medications.
This approach ensures that the patient's pain is managed effectively while minimizing harm.
Choice D rationale:
Withhold analgesics if there are any potential risks.
Withholding analgesics solely because of potential risks is not the best approach to pain management.
It's essential to assess the benefits and risks of analgesic medications on a case-by-case basis.
Completely withholding analgesics may result in unnecessary suffering for the patient.