A nurse is serving on a continuous quality improvement (CQI) committee that has been assigned to develop a program to reduce the number of medication administration errors following a sentinel event at the facility. Which of the following strategies should the committee plan to initiate first?

A. A room with another nonsurgical client: Placing a client with active tuberculosis in a room with another nonsurgical client is not appropriate because it increases the risk of transmission to other patients. Tuberculosis is highly contagious, and isolation precautions are necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.
B. A room in the ICU: While isolation precautions are necessary for a client with active tuberculosis, placing the client in the intensive care unit (ICU) may not be necessary unless the client requires critical care. However, the priority is to provide a room that meets the requirements for airborne infection isolation, which may not necessarily be in the ICU.
C. A room with air exhaust directly to the outdoor environment: This is the correct choice. A room with air exhaust directly to the outdoor environment is essential for a client with active tuberculosis. Airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs) have negative air pressure and special ventilation systems that prevent the circulation of air from the room to other areas of the healthcare facility, reducing the risk of transmission to healthcare workers and other patients.
D. A room that is within view of the nursing station: While it may be convenient for the nursing staff to have the client's room within view of the nursing station for monitoring purposes, the priority for a client with active tuberculosis is to ensure that they are placed in a room with appropriate airborne infection isolation precautions, including proper ventilation, to minimize the risk of transmission to others.

A. Fidelity: Fidelity refers to the duty to fulfill one's commitments and obligations. While important in nursing practice, fidelity is not directly applicable to the decision not to administer pain medication in this scenario.
B. Veracity: Veracity refers to truthfulness and honesty in communication. While it is important for the nurse to communicate honestly with the client and their family about the risks and benefits of pain management, the decision not to administer pain medication is primarily based on the principle of non-maleficence.
C. Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number of people. While pain relief may contribute to the overall well-being of the client, the decision not to administer pain medication in this scenario is more closely aligned with the principle of non-maleficence, as it focuses on avoiding harm to the individual client.
D. Non-maleficence: Non-maleficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the duty to do no harm. In this situation, the nurse's primary concern is to avoid causing harm to the client. Administering pain medication to relieve suffering, even if it might hasten death, aligns with the principle of non-maleficence because the intent is to alleviate suffering and provide comfort to the dying client.