The nurse is caring for a client of Chinese heritage who asks the nurs

QUESTION

The nurse is caring for a client of Chinese heritage who asks the nurse to assist in coining, or gua sha.

The nurse knows this practice can lead to angry, red marks wherever the technique is used on the body, but knows the client believes the practice to be helpful. Which ethical principles are in conflict in this situation?

1. Justice and nonmaleficence
2. Autonomy and paternalism
3. Autonomy and nonmaleficence
4. Justice and paternalism

ANSWER:

Answer: 3

Rationale: The client has the right to make personal decisions about types of care received. However, the nurse also has a responsibility to avoid harming the client. Therefore, the ethical conflict is between allowing the client to make care decisions for herself and not causing harm to the client. Justice is not applicable, as there is no question of fairness in this situation. Paternalism is not applicable, as there is no mention of the nurse doing gua sha without the client’s permission.