A nurse is reinforcing teaching about infection control with the guardian of a school-age child who has varicella. The nurse should inform the guardian that which of the following findings is an indication that the child is no longer contagious?

A. Avoiding actions that can cause harm to the client: This action demonstrates the ethical principle of nonmaleficence, which focuses on preventing harm, rather than veracity. While important in nursing practice, it does not relate specifically to truthfulness.

B. Prioritizing interventions that benefit the client: This reflects the principle of beneficence, which emphasizes doing good and promoting the client’s well-being. It does not directly involve honesty or truthful communication with the client.

C. Allowing the client to function independently: Supporting autonomy involves respecting the client’s ability to make decisions and perform activities independently. While ethically important, it is not the same as veracity.

D. Being honest with the client: Veracity refers to truthfulness and providing accurate, complete information to clients. Being honest about diagnoses, treatments, and care plans ensures informed decision-making and builds trust between the nurse and client.

A. Increase in calf size: Swelling of the calf on the operative leg is a common early sign of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) due to venous obstruction and pooling of blood. Postoperative patients, especially after lower-extremity orthopedic surgery, are at high risk because of immobility, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability. Measurement and comparison of calf circumference can help detect unilateral enlargement suggestive of DVT.

B. Capillary refill of 2 seconds: A capillary refill of 2 seconds is within normal limits, indicating adequate arterial perfusion. DVT affects venous return rather than arterial flow, so capillary refill is usually not altered. Normal refill does not exclude a thrombus but does not indicate its presence.

C. Palpable cord-like vein: A palpable, cord-like vein may indicate thrombophlebitis, often superficial rather than deep. While it can sometimes occur with DVT, it is more characteristic of superficial vein involvement and is not as reliable an indicator of deep venous thrombosis.

D. Extremity feels cool to the touch: A cool extremity is more commonly associated with arterial insufficiency or impaired arterial perfusion rather than DVT. DVT typically presents with warmth, redness, and edema in the affected limb due to inflammation and venous congestion.