A charge nurse observes a client fall while ambulating with an assistive personnel and notes that the client’s gait belt was not in place. When reviewing the incident report, the charge nurse finds that the report does not mention the gait belt. Which of the following ethical principles should the charge nurse follow?
A Beneficence
B Nonmaleficence
C Fidelity
D Veracity
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is D. Veracity.
Explanation:
Veracity refers to the ethical principle of truthfulness and honesty. In healthcare, it obligates healthcare professionals to provide accurate, complete, and honest information. In this scenario, the charge nurse observes that the incident report does not mention the absence of the gait belt, which is a critical detail related to the fall. To uphold veracity, the charge nurse must ensure that the report is corrected to reflect the truth of the situation.
When incident reports are completed inaccurately or with missing information, it may lead to improper investigation or evaluation of the situation, which could hinder efforts to prevent future falls. Upholding veracity ensures that all stakeholders, including the healthcare team and administrators, have the necessary facts to address patient safety concerns appropriately. Truthfulness is essential not only for legal and institutional accountability but also for maintaining trust within the healthcare team and with the patient.
Although beneficence (doing good) and nonmaleficence (avoiding harm) are also important ethical principles in healthcare, they do not directly address the issue of honesty in reporting. While the charge nurse’s actions may indirectly contribute to beneficence and nonmaleficence by ensuring accurate documentation for future safety measures, veracity specifically addresses the need for accurate and honest communication.
Fidelity refers to loyalty and keeping promises, which is less relevant to the situation at hand, as this scenario focuses on accurate documentation rather than honoring a commitment.
Therefore, in this situation, veracity is the key ethical principle the charge nurse must follow to ensure accurate, truthful reporting of the incident.