Which of the following statements best reflects the nurse’s ethical co

Which of the following statements best reflects the nurse’s ethical concern for nonmaleficence regarding the client’s treatment plan?

1. “The radiation therapy has not substantially decreased the client’s tumor related pain.”
2. “The client expressed the idea that this treatment was definitively going to cure her cancer:
3. “The client’s family requested that she not be informed of the seriousness of her cardiac condition.”
4. “The procedure is quite invasive, and there is little chance that it will improve the client’s quality of life.”

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. The remaining options are related to veracity (truthfulness), fidelity (keeping a promise), and possibly fairness.