A nurse manager needs to address an increased rate of client medication errors. Which of the following strategies represents an authoritarian approach to managing this issue?

Choice A rationale:

Reporting the findings to the hospital ethics committee is not the appropriate action in this scenario. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a clinical issue related to patient care and safety, not an ethical concern. The hospital ethics committee is generally responsible for addressing ethical dilemmas and conflicts.

Choice B rationale:

Alerting central supply is not the correct action in this situation. Central supply typically handles the procurement and distribution of medical supplies, equipment, and materials. While maintaining proper equipment and supplies is important, addressing VAP requires a focus on infection prevention and patient care practices.

Choice C rationale:

Filling out an incident report is not the best course of action for addressing an increase in ventilator-associated pneumonia. Incident reports are typically used to document unexpected events, accidents, or errors that occur in the healthcare setting. However, addressing the rise in VAP involves implementing measures to prevent and control infections, which falls under the purview of the quality improvement team.

Choice D rationale:

The correct action is to notify the quality improvement team. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a healthcare-associated infection that can lead to serious complications for patients on ventilators. The quality improvement team is responsible for monitoring and improving the quality of patient care, including infection prevention and control. By notifying the quality improvement team, the nurse manager can initiate a comprehensive review of current practices, identify potential areas for improvement, and implement evidence-based interventions to reduce the incidence of VAP.

Choice A rationale:

Beneficence. Beneficence refers to the ethical principle of doing what is best for the client's well-being and promoting their welfare. While returning with pain medication promptly does contribute to the client's well-being, this principle does not specifically address the nurse's commitment to keeping promises or being faithful to their word.

Choice B rationale:

Utility. Utility refers to the ethical principle of seeking the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people. Fulfilling a promise to provide pain medication within the agreed-upon time frame benefits the individual client but is not necessarily related to maximizing overall utility for a broader population.

Choice C rationale:

Justice. Justice involves fairness and equitable distribution of resources and care. While ensuring timely pain relief can be seen as a just action, the concept of justice is not directly tied to keeping promises or fidelity.

Choice D rationale:

Fidelity. Fidelity, also known as "non-maleficence," centers on being faithful to commitments and maintaining trust in the nurse-client relationship. Returning with the medication as promised within 15 minutes exemplifies fidelity, as the nurse is honoring their commitment to the client's well-being and building trust through their actions.