A Patient Is Prescribed Medication for the Treatment of Cancer

Multiple Choice

A patient is prescribed medication for the treatment of cancer. The nurse is concerned that administering this medication may have a harmful effect on the patient. Which conditions would help the nurse decide that it is ethical to administer the medication through the application of the concept of double effect?

A) The medication has been proven effective in the treatment of cancer.
B) The nurse is administering the medication to achieve treatment of the cancer.
C) The harmful effect must not occur in order for the medication to be successful in treating the cancer.
D) The benefits of using this medication are more likely to occur than are the undesired actions of the medication.
E) The patient must agree to accept the possibility of undesired effects of the medication.