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?

Choice A reason: A nurse places a mask on a client with tuberculosis before transport to the radiology department is a safe handling technique, as it prevents the transmission of airborne pathogens to other clients and staff. The nurse should also wear a respirator and follow the standard and airborne precautions.

Choice B reason: A nurse cleans up a blood spill with hydrogen peroxide is not a safe handling technique, as it can damage the skin and mucous membranes and cause irritation and infection. The nurse should use a bleach solution or an approved disinfectant to clean up blood spills and follow the standard and contact precautions.

Choice C reason: A nurse removes her gown after leaving the client's room is not a safe handling technique, as it can contaminate the environment and expose the nurse to infectious agents. The nurse should remove the gown before leaving the client's room and dispose of it in a designated receptacle.

Choice D reason: A nurse disconnects an indwelling urinary catheter from the drainage bag to collect a specimen is not a safe handling technique, as it can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract and cause infection. The nurse should use a sterile syringe and needle to aspirate the specimen from the sampling port and follow the standard and contact precautions.

Choice A reason: Decreased cost-effectiveness is not an outcome of critical pathway use, but rather an outcome of poor quality care. Critical pathways are designed to improve the quality and efficiency of care by reducing unnecessary costs and resources.

Choice B reason: Decreased care delays is an outcome of critical pathway use, as it reflects the timely and coordinated delivery of care. Critical pathways are evidence-based plans that outline the expected course of care and outcomes for a specific client population.

Choice C reason: Increased length of stay is not an outcome of critical pathway use, but rather an outcome of ineffective or inappropriate care. Critical pathways are intended to shorten the length of stay by optimizing the care process and preventing complications.

Choice D reason: Increased variation in clinical interventions is not an outcome of critical pathway use, but rather an outcome of inconsistent or individualized care. Critical pathways are meant to standardize the clinical interventions based on the best available evidence and practice guidelines.