Critical illness often results in family conflicts. Which scenario is most likely to result in the greatest conflict?

Question 1 of 5

A. A 21-year-old college student of divorced parents hosp italized with multiple trauma. She resides with her mother. The parents are amicable with each other and have similar values. The father blames the daughter’s b oyfriend for causing the accident. B. A 36-year-old male admitted for a ruptured cerebral an eurysm. He has been living with his 34-year-old girlfriend for 8 years, and they have a 4-year-old daughter. He does not have written advance directives. His parents aarbriribv.ceo mfr/otemst out-of-state and are asked to make decisions about his health care. He h as not seen them in over a year. C. A 58-year-old male admitted for coronary artery bypas s surgery. He has been living with his same-sex partner for 20 years in a committed relationship. He has designated his sister, a registered nurse, as his healthca re proxy in a written advance directive. D. A 78-year-old female admitted with gastrointestinal blaebeirdbi.cnogm./ tHeset r hemoglobin is decreasing to a critical level. She is a Jehovah’s Witness and refuses the treatment of a blood transfusion. She is capable of making her ow n decisions and has a clearly written advance directive declining any transfu sions. Her son is upset with her and tells her she is “committing suicide.”

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because it involves a conflict between the patient's autonomy and her son's beliefs. The patient, a Jehovah's Witness, has clearly stated her refusal of a blood transfusion in her advance directive, which aligns with her religious beliefs. Her son's disagreement with her decision creates a significant ethical dilemma and conflict. This scenario highlights the clash between respecting the patient's autonomy and the son's concerns for her well-being. Choice A is less likely to result in the greatest conflict as both parents have similar values and are amicable, with the conflict being directed towards the daughter's boyfriend. Choice B involves a conflict between the patient's girlfriend and parents, but the patient's lack of advance directives and estranged relationship with his parents do not present as significant a conflict as in the correct answer. Choice C involves a designated healthcare proxy and a committed relationship, which are less likely to result in a conflict as compared to the clash of beliefs and autonomy seen in Choice D.

Question 2 of 5

A family member approaches the nurse caring for their gra vely ill son and states, “We want to donate our son’s organs.” What is the best action by the nu rse?

A. Arrange a multidisciplinary meeting with physicians. B. Consult the hospital’s ethics committee for a ruling. C. Notify the organ procurement organization (OPO). D. Obtain family consent to withdraw life support.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Notify the organ procurement organization (OPO). This is the best action because the OPO is responsible for coordinating organ donation and transplantation. By involving the OPO, the nurse ensures that the donation process is handled appropriately and ethically. Choice A: Arranging a multidisciplinary meeting with physicians may be necessary but should not be the first step in this situation. Choice B: Consulting the hospital’s ethics committee may be helpful, but the immediate priority is to involve the OPO to facilitate organ donation. Choice D: Obtaining family consent to withdraw life support is not the nurse’s role in this situation. The focus should be on organ donation to honor the family's wishes.

Question 3 of 5

Which of the following situations may result in a low cardiac output and low cardiac index? (Select all that apply.)

A. Exercise B. Hypovolemia C. Myocardial infarction D. Shock

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Certainly. Hypovolemia, or low blood volume, can lead to low cardiac output and cardiac index because the heart has less blood to pump, resulting in reduced circulation. Exercise typically increases cardiac output to meet increased demand. Myocardial infarction may reduce cardiac output temporarily, but not consistently. Shock, a condition where the body's tissues do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, can lead to low cardiac output, making it a possible cause.

Question 4 of 5

Critical illness often results in family conflicts. Which scenario is most likely to result in the greatest conflict?

A. A 21-year-old college student of divorced parents hosp italized with multiple trauma. She resides with her mother. The parents are amicable with each other and have similar values. The father blames the daughter’s b oyfriend for causing the accident. B. A 36-year-old male admitted for a ruptured cerebral an eurysm. He has been living with his 34-year-old girlfriend for 8 years, and they have a 4-year-old daughter. He does not have written advance directives. His parents aarbriribv.ceo mfr/otemst out-of-state and are asked to make decisions about his health care. He h as not seen them in over a year. C. A 58-year-old male admitted for coronary artery bypas s surgery. He has been living with his same-sex partner for 20 years in a committed relationship. He has designated his sister, a registered nurse, as his healthca re proxy in a written advance directive. D. A 78-year-old female admitted with gastrointestinal blaebeirdbi.cnogm./ tHeset r hemoglobin is decreasing to a critical level. She is a Jehovah’s Witness and refuses the treatment of a blood transfusion. She is capable of making her ow n decisions and has a clearly written advance directive declining any transfu sions. Her son is upset with her and tells her she is “committing suicide.”

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because it involves a conflict between the patient's autonomy and her son's beliefs. The patient, a Jehovah's Witness, has clearly stated her refusal of a blood transfusion in her advance directive, which aligns with her religious beliefs. Her son's disagreement with her decision creates a significant ethical dilemma and conflict. This scenario highlights the clash between respecting the patient's autonomy and the son's concerns for her well-being. Choice A is less likely to result in the greatest conflict as both parents have similar values and are amicable, with the conflict being directed towards the daughter's boyfriend. Choice B involves a conflict between the patient's girlfriend and parents, but the patient's lack of advance directives and estranged relationship with his parents do not present as significant a conflict as in the correct answer. Choice C involves a designated healthcare proxy and a committed relationship, which are less likely to result in a conflict as compared to the clash of beliefs and autonomy seen in Choice D.

Question 5 of 5

The nurse is caring for a patient whose condition has deter iorated and is now not responding to standard treatment. The primary health care provider ca lls for an ethical consultation with the family to discuss potential withdrawal versus aggressivabei rtbr.ceoamtm/teestn t. The nurse understands that applying a model for ethical decision making involves which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

A. Burden versus benefit B. Family’s wishes C. Patient’s wishes D. Potential outcomes of treatment options

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Burden versus benefit. In ethical decision-making, considering the burden of treatment on the patient versus the potential benefits is crucial. This involves weighing the risks, benefits, and potential harm of treatment options. Family's wishes (B) and patient's wishes (C) are important factors but may not always align with what is ethically best for the patient. Potential outcomes of treatment options (D) are relevant but do not directly address the ethical dilemma of balancing burden and benefit. Therefore, A is the correct choice as it directly relates to the ethical principles guiding decision-making in this scenario.

Nurselytic

ATI RN

ATI RN

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