A nurse is caring for a client who has end-stage liver disease and is undergoing a paracentesis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure?

Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good for the patient and promoting their well-being.
The nurse is demonstrating beneficence by sitting with the client to provide comfort and support during a difficult time.
Choice B is wrong because fidelity is the ethical principle of keeping promises to the patient and being loyal and faithful.
The nurse is not making or keeping any promises to the client in this scenario.
Choice C is wrong because autonomy is the ethical principle of respecting the patient’s right to make their own decisions and choices.
The nurse is not interfering with the client’s autonomy in this scenario.
Choice D is wrong because veracity is the ethical principle of telling the truth to the patient and being honest and trustworthy.
The nurse is not lying or withholding information from the client in this scenario.

The correct answer is:

Choice C: Determine the medical needs of incoming clients through the emergency department.

Here's a breakdown of the rationale for each choice:

Choice A rationale: While calling in additional staff might be helpful in the long run, during the initial surge of patients in a mass casualty event, the Emergency Department (ED) will be the primary area receiving and triaging patients. The medical-surgical unit will likely receive overflow patients after initial stabilization in the ED.

Choice B rationale: This is not a primary responsibility for a nurse on a medical-surgical unit during a mass casualty event. Communication with the media is usually handled by designated public relations personnel.

Choice C rationale: This is the most crucial action for a nurse in this situation. Triaging patients based on the severity of their injuries and prioritizing care is essential in a mass casualty scenario. Nurses will be instrumental in assessing incoming patients relayed from the ED to determine their medical needs and allocate resources accordingly.

Choice D rationale: Discharging patients is not a priority during the initial influx of casualties. The focus is on receiving, stabilizing, and treating the most critically injured patients. Discharges would likely happen after the initial surge subsides.