Question

In addition to a thorough patient assessment, when a nurse uses one of the nursing-accessible complementary therapies, he or she must ensure that which of the following has occurred? a. The family has provided permission. b. The patient has provided permission and consent. c. The health care provider has given approval or provided orders for the therapy. d. The nurse has received specialized training in the therapeutic technique.

Short answer

The nurse must ensure that the patient has provided permission and consent.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Foundations of Complementary Therapies

Understand that complementary therapies in nursing often require the same level of consent and authorization as standard medical procedures.

Review Legal and Ethical Considerations

Identify that it is essential to ensure patient autonomy and obtain informed consent before proceeding with any therapeutic intervention, as well as considering any legal requirements such as additional approvals or specialized training.

Analyze the Options

Evaluate each option against ethical and legal standards for patient care, focusing on patient autonomy, consent, and professional competency.

Determine the Correct Option

The correct option is the one that aligns with patients' rights to informed consent and the nurse's ethical duty to practice within their scope after obtaining the necessary qualifications.

Key concepts

Patient Consent in Nursing

Patient consent is a cornerstone of nursing practice and an essential aspect of providing ethical care. Informed consent involves educating patients about their medical care options, including the potential benefits and risks of each option, ensuring they have the opportunity to ask questions, and assessing their understanding. Only after a patient has provided informed consent can a nurse proceed with any treatment or therapy, including complementary therapies.

For instance, before using a nursing-accessible complementary therapy, a nurse must gain explicit consent from the patient. This requirement ensures respect for the patient's right to make decisions about their own body and treatment. It's not enough for a family member to consent on the patient's behalf unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as the patient being unable to give consent themselves due to a medical condition.

Ethical Considerations in Nursing

The ethical delivery of healthcare services is a critical component of the nursing profession. Nurses are bound by a professional code of ethics that requires them to act in the best interests of patients, respecting privacy, maintaining confidentiality, and providing care without prejudice. Ethical considerations in nursing extend to ensuring that patient autonomy is honored and supporting patients in making informed choices about their care.

Part of these ethical considerations involves the clear understanding that every therapeutic intervention, whether standard or complementary, needs to be agreed upon by the patient, not merely prescribed by healthcare providers. Ethics in nursing compel the nurse to discuss available therapies clearly and truthfully, highlighting that informed consent is not a one-time event but a continuous process, where consent may need to be re-evaluated as the patient's situation changes.

Nursing Scope of Practice

The nursing scope of practice outlines the professional activities and responsibilities that an individual nurse is educated, competent, and authorized to perform. The scope is governed by legislation and varies depending on geographical location and the level of nurse licensure. Within this scope, nurses must only perform procedures and offer therapies for which they have the necessary knowledge and skills.

In the context of complementary therapies, if a nurse wishes to provide a specialized therapeutic technique, they must first obtain the proper training and certifications, if required. This aspect of the nursing scope of practice safeguards patient safety and maintains professional standards of care. The nurse's scope of practice also demands that they work collaboratively with other healthcare providers, ensuring that any therapeutic interventions, including complementary therapies, have the proper approvals.