A nurse in a mental health facility caring for a client who expresses anxiety about exercising in the outdoor courtyard. The nurse promises to walk with the client in the courtyard each day. Which of the following ethical principles is the nurse demonstrating?
Autonomy
Fidelity
Justice
Nonmalefcence
The Correct Answer is B
A) Autonomy: Autonomy refers to the right of individuals to make their own choices and decisions. While the nurse’s actions may promote the client’s independence in the future, the nurse’s promise to walk with the client does not directly address or uphold the client’s autonomy. The nurse is offering support rather than encouraging the client to make independent decisions about their participation in the exercise.
B) Fidelity: Fidelity involves being faithful and keeping promises or commitments. In this scenario, the nurse promises to walk with the client in the courtyard each day, and this promise demonstrates the ethical principle of fidelity. The nurse is demonstrating trustworthiness and loyalty by committing to help the client overcome their anxiety and follow through with the daily exercise.
C) Justice: Justice is the ethical principle that focuses on fairness and equal treatment for all individuals. While justice is important in providing equal care to all clients, it is not the primary principle in this scenario. The nurse’s actions focus on meeting the specific needs of the individual client, which is more aligned with fidelity.
D) Nonmaleficence: Nonmaleficence means “do no harm.” While the nurse’s goal is to prevent harm by helping the client address their anxiety, the primary ethical principle at play here is fidelity, as the nurse is keeping their promise to provide consistent support. Nonmaleficence would be more relevant if the nurse were directly addressing potential harm or risk associated with the client’s situation, but the promise to walk with the client focuses more on the nurse’s commitment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Client report of muscle spasms of the left leg: Muscle spasms are common in clients with a cast, especially if the muscle is restricted for an extended period. While muscle spasms can be uncomfortable, they are not immediately life-threatening. The nurse should still address the discomfort but it does not take priority over other potential issues like circulation.
B) One fingerbreadth of space between the cast and the skin: A small amount of space between the cast and the skin can be normal and is typically observed in a well-applied cast. However, this finding alone does not indicate an immediate concern unless other signs such as swelling or impaired circulation are noted.
C) Diminished pulses on the affected extremity: Diminished pulses are a priority concern. This may indicate compromised circulation, which can lead to serious complications such as tissue ischemia or compartment syndrome. The nurse should immediately assess the severity of the circulation problem, as any signs of compromised blood flow require prompt intervention to prevent permanent damage or loss of limb function.
D) Ecchymosis on the inner left thigh: Ecchymosis or bruising on the inner thigh can be a normal consequence of trauma or injury related to the reason for the cast. While it is important to monitor for any changes in the condition, ecchymosis itself is not immediately life-threatening or urgent compared to potential circulation issues.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Beefy, red tongue: The beefy, red tongue is typically associated with scarlet fever, a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus. This condition can lead to a red, "strawberry" tongue, often accompanied by a rash. While measles can involve a variety of symptoms, including a red rash, conjunctivitis, and cough, the beefy red tongue is not characteristic of measles. In measles, the more notable symptoms are a high fever, cough, runny nose, and the development of Koplik spots inside the mouth.
B) Paroxysmal cough: Paroxysmal cough, which is a sudden, severe, and uncontrollable cough often followed by a "whooping" sound, is more characteristic of pertussis (whooping cough). While a cough is indeed present with measles, it is generally not paroxysmal. In measles, the cough is more persistent and associated with other typical symptoms such as fever and a characteristic rash. The coughing in measles may also be dry and harsh but does not tend to occur in violent, paroxysmal episodes like those seen in pertussis.
C) Peeling of the hands and feet: Peeling of the skin, particularly of the hands and feet, is more commonly observed in conditions such as scarlet fever, Kawasaki disease, or after a viral infection like hand-foot-and-mouth disease. It is not a classic finding of measles. In measles, the skin rash usually starts as maculopapular spots on the face and spreads down the body. While some skin sloughing can occur after the rash resolves, especially in severe cases, it is not the characteristic sign of measles, and it is not typically seen on the hands and feet.
D) Fever: Fever is one of the earliest and most prominent symptoms of measles. It typically appears about 2-4 days before the characteristic measles rash. The fever in measles can be quite high, often exceeding 104°F (40°C), and is associated with other symptoms such as cough, conjunctivitis, and photophobia. The fever usually persists for several days, and it is one of the critical signs that lead to the diagnosis of measles, particularly when combined with the characteristic rash and other respiratory symptoms.
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