Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

What does a family's assumption about a patient's end-of-life care preferences reflect?

1. Justice

2. Paternalism

3. Pragmatism

4. Veracity

The correct answer is: Paternalism

The family's assumption about a patient’s end-of-life care preferences is indicative of paternalism, which involves making decisions for someone else’s well-being, often with the belief that it is in their best interest. In this context, the family may feel they know what the patient would want based on their values or past conversations, even if they have not explicitly discussed their preferences. This stems from a desire to protect the patient or alleviate suffering, but can overlook the patient’s autonomy and right to make their own choices. Justice relates to fairness and equality in healthcare distribution, pragmatism emphasizes practical approaches to care, and veracity pertains to truth-telling and honesty in clinician-patient interactions. These concepts do not directly encompass the idea of assuming another’s preferences without explicit consent or discussion. Therefore, the focus on making decisions based on assumed preferences aligns well with the definition of paternalism.