A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a newborn who has a temperature of 36.4° C (97.5° F) at 1 hr after birth. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

Rationale:

A. "The client can revoke consent even after the procedure has begun.": Clients have the legal right to withdraw consent at any time, including during a procedure. Respecting this autonomy is essential, and healthcare providers must stop the procedure if the client revokes consent.

B. "The nurse is responsible for obtaining informed consent.": Obtaining informed consent is the responsibility of the provider performing the procedure, who must ensure the client understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives. Nurses typically witness and verify the signature but do not obtain consent.

C. "Consent must be obtained from a family member if a client has a mental illness.": Consent depends on the client’s decision-making capacity, not solely on the presence of mental illness. If the client is competent, they can provide consent; if not, a legally authorized representative may be involved.

D. "The charge nurse will explain the risks of the procedure to the client.": Explaining procedure risks is the responsibility of the healthcare provider performing the procedure, not the charge nurse. This ensures that the explanation is accurate and comprehensive.

Rationale:

A. Veracity: Veracity refers to the obligation to tell the truth and provide accurate information. While withholding information could also violate this principle, the core issue in this scenario centers more on the client's right to make informed decisions rather than truth-telling alone.

B. Fidelity: Fidelity involves keeping promises and maintaining trust in the nurse-client relationship. While failing to inform the client may strain trust, the request from the parent specifically violates the client's right to participate in decisions about their care.

C. Autonomy: Autonomy is the right of individuals to make informed decisions about their own healthcare. Withholding information about medication side effects directly interferes with the client’s ability to provide informed consent, violating this fundamental ethical principle.

D. Justice: Justice involves fairness and equality in the distribution of care and resources. This principle is not directly implicated in the scenario, as the issue is not about fairness but about the individual’s right to know and decide.