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?
Beneficence
Nonmaleficence
Fidelity
Veracity
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good or acting in the best interest of others. While this is an important principle for nurses to follow, it does not directly apply to the situation of reporting the truth about the incident.
Choice B reason: Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of avoiding harm or minimizing the risk of harm to others. This principle is relevant to the prevention of falls and the use of gait belts, but it does not address the issue of honesty in documentation.
Choice C reason: Fidelity is the ethical principle of being faithful or loyal to one's commitments and responsibilities. This principle relates to the nurse's duty to provide safe and competent care to the client, but it does not specify the obligation to report the facts accurately.
Choice D reason: Veracity is the ethical principle of telling the truth or being truthful. This principle is the most appropriate for the charge nurse to follow in this case, as it requires the nurse to report the incident honestly and completely, including the omission of the gait belt. This is essential for quality improvement, legal protection, and ethical accountability.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Taking pictures of the child's injuries once the parent leaves the room is not a correct action, as it violates the child's privacy and dignity. The nurse should not take pictures of the child without the parent's consent and only if it is required by the facility's policy or the law.
Choice B reason: Having a facility security officer interview the parent is not a correct action, as it is not within the scope of the security officer's role and may escalate the situation. The nurse should not involve the security officer unless there is a threat of violence or harm to the child, the parent, or the staff.
Choice C reason: Completing an incident report concerning the child's injuries is not a correct action, as it is not relevant to the child's situation. The nurse should complete an incident report only if there is an adverse event or error that occurred within the facility that affected the child's care or safety.
Choice D reason: Reporting the child's injuries to Child Protective Services is the correct action, as it is the nurse's legal and ethical duty to protect the child from potential abuse or neglect. The nurse should suspect child abuse based on the child's injuries, which are inconsistent with the parent's explanation and indicative of non-accidental trauma. The nurse should follow the facility's protocol and the state's law for reporting suspected child abuse.

Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: The client needs to have someone come in to help her bathe at home is not a data that supports a referral for a social worker, as it is a need for home health care or personal care assistance. The nurse should refer the client to a home health agency or a community resource that provides such services.
Choice B reason: The client needs to arrange financial resources to purchase equipment is a data that supports a referral for a social worker, as it is a need for financial assistance or counseling. The nurse should refer the client to a social worker who can help the client access available resources, such as insurance, grants, or loans, to cover the cost of the equipment.
Choice C reason: The client needs to have someone bring oxygen tanks and equipment to her home is not a data that supports a referral for a social worker, as it is a need for oxygen therapy or equipment delivery. The nurse should refer the client to a respiratory therapist or a durable medical equipment company that can provide the oxygen and the equipment.
Choice D reason: The client needs to have range-of-motion exercises to assist with ambulation is not a data that supports a referral for a social worker, as it is a need for physical therapy or rehabilitation. The nurse should refer the client to a physical therapist or a rehabilitation center that can provide the exercises and the guidance.
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