A charge nurse at a long-term care facility ensures that the workload is distributed equally among staff when making assignments.
Which of the following ethical principles is the nurse upholding?

The nurse should determine if the client has prepared their advance directives, which are legal documents that specify the client’s wishes regarding medical care in case they become incapacitated. Advance directives can include a living will, a durable power of attorney for health care, or a do-not-resuscitate order. The nurse should respect the client’s autonomy and right to self-determination by asking about their advance directives and ensuring that they are documented and followed.

Choice A is wrong because the nurse should not delay the admission while the client fills out the facility’s advance directives form.

The client has the right to refuse or accept any treatment, including filling out an advance directives form.

The nurse should inform the client about the benefits of having advance directives, but should not coerce or pressure them to complete one.

Choice B is wrong because the nurse should not confirm with the client’s family that the consent form has been signed.

The consent form is a legal document that indicates that the client has given informed consent for the surgery, which means that they have received adequate information about the procedure, its risks and benefits, and alternative options.

The consent form should be signed by the client, unless they are a minor, mentally incompetent, or unable to communicate.

The nurse should verify that the consent form has been signed by the client or their legal representative before the surgery.

Choice C is wrong because the nurse should not explain to the client that signing the facility’s consent form means they cannot refuse care.

Signing the consent form does not waive the client’s right to withdraw consent at any time before or during the surgery.

The nurse should inform the client that they can change their mind and refuse care at any point, and that their decision will be respected and honored.

This is a manifestation of a fat embolism, which is a condition where particles of fat get into the bloodstream and block blood flow. A fat embolism can occur after trauma or surgery to the legs, when fat from the bone marrow escapes into the bloodstream.

Choice A is wrong because a report of pain as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10 is not specific to a fat embolism.

Pain is a common symptom of many conditions and injuries.

Choice B is wrong because pulses 2+ distal to the client’s fracture are normal and indicate adequate blood flow to the extremity.

Choice D is wrong because bruising around the fracture site is an expected finding after a compound fracture and does not indicate a fat embolism.

Normal ranges for blood pressure are 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg and for heart rate are 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Petechiae are small red or purple spots on the skin caused by bleeding under the skin.

They can range in size from pinpoint to several millimeters. Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a serious complication of a fat embolism that affects the lungs, skin or brain and can be fatal. FES usually occurs 12 to 72 hours after trauma.