AACN--Ethical And Legal Considerations In Critical
AACN--Ethical and Legal Considerations in Critical
Exam (elaborations)
Exam (elaborations) AACN--Ethical and Legal Considerations in Critical
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AACN--Ethical and Legal Considerations in Critical
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AACN--Ethical And Legal Considerations In Critical
AACN-Ethical and Legal Considerations in Critical Care questions and
answers 2024/2025 with their explanations
1. Question: What are the primary components of informed consent in a critical care setting?
o Answer: The primary components include providing information about the diagnosis,
treat...
AACN-Ethical and Legal Considerations in Critical Care questions and
answers 2024/2025 with their explanations
1. Question: What are the primary components of informed consent in a critical care setting?
o Answer: The primary components include providing information about the diagnosis,
treatment options, risks and benefits, and the right to refuse or withdraw consent. The
patient must understand this information and voluntarily agree to the proposed
intervention.
o Explanation: Informed consent ensures that patients are aware of and agree to the
procedures and treatments, respecting their autonomy and decision-making rights.
2. Question: How should a healthcare provider handle a situation where a patient is unable to
provide informed consent due to impaired decision-making capacity?
o Answer: The provider should seek consent from a legally authorized representative, such
as a power of attorney or surrogate decision-maker, while continuing to respect the
patient’s known wishes and best interests.
o Explanation: In cases where patients cannot consent themselves, legal and ethical
guidelines require involving designated surrogates who can make decisions in the
patient's best interest.
3. Question: What is the role of advance directives in critical care, and how should they be
integrated into patient care?
o Answer: Advance directives outline a patient’s preferences for medical treatment in the
event they become incapacitated. They should be reviewed and integrated into care
plans to guide decision-making and ensure treatments align with the patient’s wishes.
o Explanation: Advance directives provide guidance on a patient's preferences and help
ensure that care decisions are consistent with their values and wishes.
4. Question: How can healthcare providers ensure that they are respecting patient autonomy while
also providing necessary medical interventions?
o Answer: Providers should engage in thorough discussions with patients about their
values and treatment preferences, offer evidence-based options, and support informed
decision-making while respecting their choices.
o Explanation: Balancing respect for autonomy with the provision of necessary
interventions involves clear communication and understanding the patient’s values and
preferences.
5. Question: What are the ethical considerations when a patient's family requests the withdrawal
of life-sustaining treatment against the patient’s prior wishes?
o Answer: Ethical considerations include weighing the patient’s autonomy and prior
expressed wishes against the family’s concerns and emotional state. Providers should
adhere to the patient’s wishes as documented in advance directives and seek to mediate
conflicts through ethical consultations if needed.
, AACN-Ethical and Legal Considerations in Critical Care questions and
answers 2024/2025 with their explanations
o Explanation: Respecting the patient’s prior wishes is crucial, but understanding family
concerns and seeking mediation can help resolve conflicts and ensure ethical decision-
making.
6. Question: What steps should be taken if a patient’s advance directive is not available at the time
of critical decision-making?
o Answer: Providers should attempt to locate the advance directive through legal and
hospital resources, and in its absence, make decisions based on the patient’s best
interests and previously known values. Consultation with legal and ethical committees
may also be necessary.
o Explanation: In the absence of an advance directive, decisions should align with the
patient’s known preferences and values, with support from legal and ethical resources.
7. Question: How should healthcare providers approach situations involving minors in critical care,
especially regarding consent for treatment?
o Answer: Providers should seek consent from the minor’s legal guardians while
considering the minor’s assent if age-appropriate. In emergencies, providers may act in
the best interest of the minor if guardians are not immediately available.
o Explanation: Legal guardians typically provide consent for minors, but the minor’s assent
respects their emerging autonomy and involvement in their own care.
8. Question: What ethical issues arise when dealing with unconscious patients who have not
provided advance directives or identified surrogates?
o Answer: Ethical issues include determining the best interests of the patient and making
decisions based on likely preferences. Providers should use clinical judgment and consult
ethical committees or legal representatives when necessary.
o Explanation: Without advance directives or surrogates, providers must make decisions
based on the patient’s best interests, guided by clinical and ethical considerations.
9. Question: How should a healthcare provider address a situation where a patient's family
demands treatment that is deemed non-beneficial or futile?
o Answer: Providers should engage in clear, empathetic communication with the family,
explain the medical rationale behind the decision, and offer alternative forms of support.
Ethical consultations or mediation may be necessary if disputes persist.
o Explanation: Clear communication and empathy are crucial when addressing family
demands for non-beneficial treatments, with the goal of reaching a mutual
understanding and resolution.
10. Question: What legal and ethical responsibilities do healthcare providers have when dealing
with patients who refuse treatment?
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