The nurse has a strong personal belief that life begins at conception.

QUESTION

The nurse has a strong personal belief that life begins at conception. Can this nurse legally refuse to assist with an abortion?

1. Yes, but only if there is no health danger to the mother if the abortion is not performed.
2. Yes; most states have conscience clauses or provisions to protect the nurse in this situation.
3. No; if the nurse has willingly taken a job where assisting with an abortion is a possibility, he or she cannot refuse to assist.
4. No; because abortions are considered medical procedures, the nurse is ethically required to assist.

ANSWER:

Correct Answer: 2

Assisting with an abortion is an ethical decision that each nurse must make. Most states have provisions known as conscience clauses that permit individual physicians and nurses, as well as institutions, to refuse to assist with an abortion if doing so violates their religious or moral principles. Nurses are not required to violate their religious or moral principles and may choose to leave a position in a facility that provides abortions. The health danger to the mother is not a factor in the nurse’s decision.