Is it ever acceptable to deceive a patient?
This article describes a dilemma in clinical practice. The critical incident illustrates how a patient was deceived in hospital and how this was simply accepted by the majority of the ward staff. The situation is analysed by the student nurse involved, who found it difficult to accept, and a call is made for nurses to challenge decision-making processes based on inequalities of power.
Ballinger
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School of Health Studies, Bradford University.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018447:Medical Futility; D011379:Prognosis; D014342:Truth Disclosure