A Patient with a Fractured Elbow in the Emergency Department

question 2

Multiple Choice

A patient with a fractured elbow in the emergency department states that he needs morphine for pain rather than codeine because the last time he had a painfulinjury,codeine was not effective in managing his pain. What is the nurse's best response or action?

• A)Ask the patient how much alcohol he ingests daily.
• B)Communicate this information to the admitting physician.
• C)Alert the health-care provider that this patient is "drug-seeking."
• D)Reassure the patient that he will receive progressively higher dosages of codeine until his pain is controlled.

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Definitions:

Moral Truth

A concept referring to the idea that there are universal ethical standards that apply across cultures and situations, guiding what is right and wrong.

Categorical Imperative

Kant’s fundamental moral principle that helps to determine what our duty is.

Humanity

The quality or condition of being human, often associated with compassion, empathy, and the collective human species.

Prima Facie Duty

Moral duty that is binding unless overridden by a more compelling moral duty.