A nurse in a mental health facility is 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?

Orthostatic hypotension, which is a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, can be a side effect of enalapril and may lead to syncope. Instructing the client to rise slowly from a sitting to a standing position helps minimize the risk of a sudden drop in blood pressure and decreases the chances of syncope occurring.

Decreasing fluid intake is not likely to be the cause of syncope related to enalapril. It is important for clients to maintain adequate hydration, especially if they are experiencing side effects such as orthostatic hypotension.

While a low pulse rate may indicate bradycardia, it is not the primary concern in this situation. Orthostatic hypotension leading to syncope is the main issue, and the client should be instructed to rise slowly to prevent it.

While enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that can increase potassium levels in the blood, it is not directly related to syncope. Dietary changes should be made under the guidance of a healthcare provider based on individual needs and blood test results.

Avoid quoting client comments when documenting: This is the correct action to take. When documenting client care, it is important to use objective language and avoid directly quoting client comments. Instead, the nurse should summarize or paraphrase the client's statements using professional and objective language.

Incorrect:

B- Limit documentation to subjective information: This is an incorrect action to take.

Documentation should include both subjective and objective information. Subjective information refers to the client's own experiences, perceptions, and feelings, while objective information refers to measurable and observable data.

C- Document giving a dose of pain medication just prior to administration: This is an incorrect action to take. Documentation should accurately reflect the timing and administration of medications. Documenting giving a dose of pain medication just prior to administration would be inaccurate and could lead to confusion and potential medication errors.

D- Document information telephoned in by a nurse who left the unit for the day: This is an incorrect action to take. Documentation should only include information that the nurse personally witnesses, assesses, or performs. Information provided by another nurse should be documented as a report or handoff communication rather than direct documentation.