A nurse is transcribing a client’s prescription for erythromycin 500mg four times per day. Which of the following information should the nurse clarify with the provider?

A) Wear sterile gloves to remove the dressing: For a wet-to-dry dressing change, clean gloves are typically used when removing the dressing, as the procedure does not require a sterile technique unless the wound is being directly cleaned or treated with sterile instruments. Wearing sterile gloves for removal is unnecessary and could increase the risk of contamination when handling non-sterile dressing material.

B) Remove the tape by pulling from the center of the dressing: Tape should be removed by pulling it gently from the edges rather than from the center. Pulling from the center may cause unnecessary trauma to the surrounding skin or disrupt the wound's healing process. Gently pulling from the edges helps reduce the risk of skin irritation and minimizes discomfort for the patient.

C) Moisten dressing before removal: The dressing should be moistened before application, not before removal. Wetting the dressing before removing it may actually cause further trauma to the wound, and it might be difficult to remove the wet-to-dry dressing cleanly. The dressing should be removed first, and then a new dressing should be moistened if needed.

D) Clean the wound from the center to the outer edges: When cleaning a wound, the nurse should always clean from the center of the wound to the outer edges in a circular motion. This helps prevent the spread of bacteria from the outer contaminated areas into the clean tissue. By cleaning from the center outward, the nurse reduces the risk of introducing new bacteria into the wound site.

A) Autonomy: Autonomy refers to the right of individuals to make their own choices and decisions. While the nurse’s actions may promote the client’s independence in the future, the nurse’s promise to walk with the client does not directly address or uphold the client’s autonomy. The nurse is offering support rather than encouraging the client to make independent decisions about their participation in the exercise.

B) Fidelity: Fidelity involves being faithful and keeping promises or commitments. In this scenario, the nurse promises to walk with the client in the courtyard each day, and this promise demonstrates the ethical principle of fidelity. The nurse is demonstrating trustworthiness and loyalty by committing to help the client overcome their anxiety and follow through with the daily exercise.

C) Justice: Justice is the ethical principle that focuses on fairness and equal treatment for all individuals. While justice is important in providing equal care to all clients, it is not the primary principle in this scenario. The nurse’s actions focus on meeting the specific needs of the individual client, which is more aligned with fidelity.

D) Nonmaleficence: Nonmaleficence means “do no harm.” While the nurse’s goal is to prevent harm by helping the client address their anxiety, the primary ethical principle at play here is fidelity, as the nurse is keeping their promise to provide consistent support. Nonmaleficence would be more relevant if the nurse were directly addressing potential harm or risk associated with the client’s situation, but the promise to walk with the client focuses more on the nurse’s commitment.