In the context of bioethical decision-making, what is the perioperative nurse's primary responsibility?

• A. To never engage in ethical dilemmas
• B. To solely refer ethical dilemmas to the institution's ethics committee
• C. To act according to the agreement with the patient
• D. To always defer to the surgeon's judgment

Answer: (C)

The perioperative nurse's primary responsibility in bioethical decision-making is to act according to the agreement with the patient. This choice emphasizes the importance of patient autonomy and informed consent, which are foundational principles in healthcare ethics. The nurse must ensure that the patient's wishes, rights, and best interests are respected throughout the perioperative process.

By actively engaging with the patient to understand their values and preferences, the nurse advocates for the patient's care and works to uphold their dignity and choices in the surgical setting. This approach reinforces the collaborative nature of healthcare, where the patient's voice is central to the decision-making process.

In addition, while it is true that consulting the institution's ethics committee can be an important resource for complex ethical dilemmas, the nurse is not limited to merely referring these dilemmas and must engage with patients and their families directly. Likewise, while deferring to the surgeon’s judgment is important in terms of surgical expertise, this does not replace the nurse's responsibility to advocate for the patient's needs and preferences, which may sometimes necessitate having difficult conversations or voicing concerns if the patient's best interests appear compromised. Thus, acting according to the patient agreement is paramount in fulfilling the ethical obligations of the perioperative nurse.