A charge nurse notes that a staff nurse delegates an unfair share of tasks to the assistive personnel (AP) and the nurses on next shift report the staff nurse frequently leaves tasks uncompleted. Which of the following statements should the charge nurse make to resolve this conflict?

A. Tell the child it is candy: Deceiving the child by telling them medication is candy can lead to trust issues and may cause confusion if the child later discovers the truth. It's important to promote honesty and transparency in healthcare interactions.
B. Tell the child he will have to have a shot instead: Threatening the child with a shot as an alternative to taking medication can induce fear and anxiety, making the child more resistant to cooperation. Using fear as a motivator can have negative psychological effects and should be avoided.
C. Offer the child a choice of taking the medication with juice or water: This strategy empowers the child by giving them a sense of control and autonomy over the situation. Offering choices can help the child feel more involved in their care and increase cooperation. By allowing the child to choose how they take the medication, they may be more willing to comply.
D. Hide the medication in a large dish of ice cream: While hiding medication in food may be effective for some children, it can undermine trust if the child discovers the deception. Additionally, this method does not teach the child how to take medication independently and may not be feasible in all situations. Offering choices and involving the child in the decision-making process is a more respectful and effective approach.

A. Fidelity: Fidelity refers to the duty to fulfill one's commitments and obligations. While important in nursing practice, fidelity is not directly applicable to the decision not to administer pain medication in this scenario.
B. Veracity: Veracity refers to truthfulness and honesty in communication. While it is important for the nurse to communicate honestly with the client and their family about the risks and benefits of pain management, the decision not to administer pain medication is primarily based on the principle of non-maleficence.
C. Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number of people. While pain relief may contribute to the overall well-being of the client, the decision not to administer pain medication in this scenario is more closely aligned with the principle of non-maleficence, as it focuses on avoiding harm to the individual client.
D. Non-maleficence: Non-maleficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the duty to do no harm. In this situation, the nurse's primary concern is to avoid causing harm to the client. Administering pain medication to relieve suffering, even if it might hasten death, aligns with the principle of non-maleficence because the intent is to alleviate suffering and provide comfort to the dying client.