The client has been diagnosed with malignant bone cancer and the treat

The client has been diagnosed with malignant bone cancer and the treatment involves chemo-therapy on an outpatient basis.

While treating the cancer the client unfortunately becomes very ill, experiences significant side effects from the therapy, and has a severe reduction in the quality of life. The specific ethical principle that is in question in this situation is:
1. Veracity
2. Fidelity
3. Justice
4. Nonmaleficence

ANSWER

ANS: 4
Nonmaleficence is the avoidance of harm or hurt. Whether the discomforts of treatment are ben-efiting the client or are worse than the disease itself have to be considered. The health care pro-fessional tries to balance the risks and benefits of a plan of care while striving to do the least harm possible. Veracity refers to truthfulness. This situation is not questioning truthfulness. Fi-delity refers to the agreement to keep promises. This situation does not question fidelity. Justice refers to fairness. This situation is not a matter of justice.