A nurse is assessing a child who is being treated for bacterial pneumonia. The nurse notes an increase in the child's blood glucose. The nurse should identify this finding as an adverse effect of which of the following medications?

A. Beneficence: Beneficence involves actions that promote the well-being of others and provide comfort, support, or care. By sitting with the client to offer emotional support following the loss of a partner, the nurse is actively promoting the client’s welfare and demonstrating compassion, which aligns with the ethical principle of beneficence.

B. Fidelity: Fidelity refers to maintaining trust and keeping promises or commitments to clients. While important in nursing, simply providing comfort through presence does not directly involve promise-keeping, making this principle less applicable in this scenario.

C. Veracity: Veracity is the obligation to tell the truth and provide accurate information. Sitting with the client for emotional support does not involve disclosure or truth-telling, so it is not the primary ethical principle demonstrated here.

D. Autonomy: Autonomy pertains to respecting a client’s right to make their own informed decisions about care. Providing comfort through presence supports well-being but does not involve facilitating or respecting decision-making in this situation.

Rationale:

• Obtain daily weights: Daily weights are used to monitor fluid balance in conditions like preeclampsia or heart failure. In this acute preterm labor scenario, the priority is monitoring fetal well-being and uterine activity, not long-term fluid shifts.

• Administer terbutaline: Terbutaline is a tocolytic medication used to suppress preterm labor by relaxing uterine smooth muscle. Given the client’s regular, strong contractions at 33 weeks with cervical changes, terbutaline may be prescribed to delay labor and allow fetal maturation.

• Administer oxytocin: Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions and is used to induce or augment labor. In a client experiencing preterm labor at 33 weeks, oxytocin is contraindicated because it could worsen labor progression and increase risk of preterm birth.

• Administer betamethasone: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid administered to accelerate fetal lung maturity when preterm birth is imminent. Since the client is 33 weeks gestation and showing signs of preterm labor, administration is anticipated to reduce neonatal respiratory complications.

• Maintain modified bed rest with bathroom privileges: Modified bed rest can help reduce uterine stimulation, conserve energy, and support uteroplacental perfusion in clients experiencing preterm labor. Limiting physical activity is a standard intervention for preterm labor management.