A nurse is teaching a client who is at 16 weeks of gestation about the alpha-fetoprotein test. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. The client needs assistance with learning to eat with the opposite hand: This is an aspect of rehabilitation and occupational therapy, focusing on adaptive techniques for daily living. It is not within the social worker’s primary role, so this information should be directed to therapy services.

B. The client will require a wheelchair for use in the home: Equipment needs such as wheelchairs are usually coordinated through physical therapy or case management. While the social worker may assist with resources, the primary focus is on functional mobility, which is addressed by therapy services.

C. The client needs assistance with paying medical bills: Financial assistance, insurance navigation, and access to community resources are within the social worker’s scope of practice. Reporting this need ensures the client receives support for managing medical expenses and continuity of care at home.

D. The client will require a prescription for home therapy: Prescriptions for home health services fall under the provider’s and therapy team’s responsibilities. The social worker may support logistics, but the primary coordination of therapy prescriptions is not their role.

A. Utility: Utility focuses on actions that provide the greatest good for the greatest number. While relevant in some ethical decisions, it does not directly guide the nurse’s responsibility to report a medication error to the client or provider.

B. Paternalism:Paternalism occurs when a healthcare professional makes decisions for a client without their consent, acting under the assumption that the professional "knows best." In the case of a medication error, paternalism might lead a nurse to hide the mistake to "protect" the client from anxiety. This is considered an ethical violation because it strips the client of their right to self-determination and awareness of their own health status. The nurse must avoid paternalistic secrecy and prioritize the client's right to the truth.

C. Fidelity: Fidelity refers to keeping promises and being faithful to commitments. Although it supports trustworthy behavior, it does not specifically address the obligation to provide truthful information about errors.

D. Veracity: Applying the principle of veracity is the priority when a medication error is discovered. Veracity refers to the nurse's obligation to be truthful with the client, the healthcare team, and in the formal documentation of the event. Disclosing the wrong dosage immediately allows the provider to assess for toxicity or adverse reactions and ensures that the client's medical record is accurate. Honesty is the "gold standard" for preserving the trust within the nurse-client relationship and is a requirement of professional nursing boards.