A client receiving chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer calls Nina the New Nurse into her room. “I’ve thought about all this treatment stuff. I understand what the goal of treatment is, and I understand what will happen if I stop the treatment. I also understand that I don’t like how I feel right now. I choose to enjoy what time I have left instead of spending it throwing-up. I don’t want any more treatments.” Nina the New Nurse responds, “Yes, it’s rough right now, but it will get better. I don’t think the doctor or your husband would agree with this decision; perhaps you should discuss this with them.” What (if anything) has Nina the New Nurse done wrong?
Explanation
Answer: B, C, D - Nurses must accept the client’s informed decision, even when that decision disagrees with the recommended therapeutic treatment of the health care team. In the role of client advocate, the nurse must accept and respect the decision of the client, regardless of personal feelings. Nina the New Nurse did not consider the best way to help this client. By this inaction, she failed to fulfill the ethical principle of beneficence.
