A charge nurse observes a client fall while ambulating with an assistive personnel and notes that the client's gait belt was not in place. When reviewing the incident report, the charge nurse finds that the report does not mention the gait belt. Which of the following ethical principles should the charge nurse follow?

A. The client’s aPTT is within the therapeutic range for heparin, so immediate interdisciplinary discussion is not required.

B. Clients using insulin pumps require coordination between the nurse, endocrinologist, and diabetes educator to ensure safe insulin administration and blood glucose management, making an interdisciplinary conference appropriate.

C. Orthostatic hypotension being managed with IV fluids can typically be addressed within routine nursing care without needing an interdisciplinary meeting.

D. The client’s albumin level is within normal limits, and risk for pressure injuries can be managed with standard nursing interventions without requiring a conference.

Choice A Reason:
Reinforcing dietary teaching with a client who has heart disease is incorrect. Dietary teaching typically requires a higher level of assessment and critical thinking, often involving interpretation of lab values, medication interactions, and individualized dietary plans. This task is best suited for a Registered Nurse (RN).
Choice B Reason:
Providing postmortem care for a client who has just died is incorrect. Providing postmortem care involves emotional support, respect for the deceased, and proper handling of the body. This task is within the scope of practice for an RN and may also involve collaboration with other healthcare team members.
Choice C Reason:
Accompanying a client who just had a wound debridement to physical therapy is incorrect. Accompanying a client to physical therapy may involve monitoring the client's condition, providing assistance during the transfer, and communicating with the physical therapist about the client's status. This task typically requires an RN or may be appropriate for an assistive personnel under RN supervision.
Choice D Reason:
Obtaining a urine specimen from an older adult client is correct. Obtaining a urine specimen is a task that falls within the scope of practice for an LPN. It involves performing a routine procedure that requires technical skills but does not involve complex assessment or critical thinking beyond following established protocols.