A nurse is collecting data from a client who has cirrhosis of the liver. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as the priority?

A. Fidelity: Fidelity refers to the responsibility to maintain trust and uphold promises made to clients. While important, the core issue in this case is not about fulfilling prior commitments but rather about responding truthfully to a direct question from the adolescent regarding their medical condition.

B. Authority: Authority is the recognized power to make decisions or enforce obedience, typically within a professional or legal framework. In this situation, the ethical dilemma is not related to decision-making power but centers on the nurse's obligation to provide honest communication.

C. Justice: Justice emphasizes fairness and equitable treatment of all clients in healthcare settings. Although justice is critical to ethical practice, the specific challenge here involves answering truthfully when asked about a relapse, rather than issues of equitable treatment or distribution of care.

D. Veracity: Veracity demands honesty and transparency when communicating with clients about their health. When the adolescent directly questions the nurse about their medical status, veracity obligates the nurse to provide truthful and accurate information, respecting the client's right to know.

A. Contact the provider within 48 hr to obtain a prescription for the restraints: A provider’s order for restraints must be obtained immediately or within a very short time frame, usually within 1 hour, depending on facility policy. Waiting 48 hours would be inappropriate and could lead to violation of patient rights.

B. Remove the restraints from the client's wrists every 2 hr: Restraints must be removed at least every 2 hours to assess skin integrity, provide range of motion exercises, and evaluate the continued need for restraints. This practice ensures client safety, prevents complications such as pressure injuries, and respects client dignity.

C. Check that one finger will fit between the client's wrists and the restraints: The correct practice is to ensure that two fingers can fit between the restraint and the skin to prevent circulatory impairment and skin breakdown. One finger would be too tight and could increase the risk of injury.

D. Fasten the restraints' ties to the bed's side rails: Restraints should always be tied to the bed frame, not the side rails. Attaching restraints to movable parts like side rails can cause injury if the rail is lowered or repositioned, leading to unnecessary strain or trauma to the client.