Professional Caring and Ethical PracticeDifficulty 3/5
A patient with decision-making capacity asks directly about their prognosis, while the family has asked the team not to discuss it. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
- AHonour the patient’s right to information and explore the family’s concerns
- BTell the patient the family has forbidden the discussion so they understand the delay
- CDocument the family's request and avoid the topic during nursing care
- DFollow the family's request and redirect the patient's questions to the physician
Show answer and rationale
Correct: A. Advocacy and moral agency direct the nurse to support the patient's right to information while addressing the family's fear, using the interprofessional team and, where needed, ethics consultation. Capacity belongs to the patient, not the family.
- D — Deferring indefinitely subordinates the patient's rights to the family's preference.
- B — Shifting responsibility to the family damages trust and does not answer the patient.
- C — Silent avoidance abandons the patient's expressed need.