A nurse documents the client’s vital signs and symptoms in the electronic health record before deciding on possible causes. Which phase of the nursing process is the nurse completing?

Choice A reason:
This option reflects the ethical principle of fidelity, which refers to faithfulness, loyalty, and keeping commitments made to clients. Fidelity emphasizes maintaining trust, honoring promises, and being truthful in professional relationships. While fidelity is essential to ethical nursing practice, it does not specifically address the prevention of harm. Therefore, this choice does not best define the obligation to avoid causing harm to a client.

Choice B reason:
This option corresponds to the ethical principle of justice, which focuses on fairness, equity, and the appropriate distribution of resources among clients and populations. Justice ensures that all clients receive impartial and equal treatment regardless of personal characteristics or social status. Although justice is a core ethical principle, it is centered on fairness rather than the direct prevention of harm, making it an incorrect choice for this question.

Choice C reason:
This option accurately represents the ethical principle of nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is defined as the obligation to avoid causing harm, injury, or unnecessary suffering to clients. In nursing practice, this principle guides clinicians to carefully evaluate interventions, anticipate potential risks, and avoid actions that could negatively impact client safety or well-being. Because the question specifically asks about the obligation to avoid harm, this is the most accurate and correct answer.

Choice D reason:
This option reflects the ethical principle of beneficence, which involves taking positive actions to promote good, support client welfare, and improve health outcomes. Beneficence encourages nurses to act in the best interest of the client by providing compassionate and beneficial care. However, beneficence is distinct from nonmaleficence, as it focuses on doing good rather than specifically avoiding harm. For this reason, it is not the best answer to the question.

Choice A reason:
Being informed of procedures relates to the client’s right to informed consent, not directly to confidentiality. While important, it does not specifically address protection of private health information.

Choice B reason:
The right to leave against medical advice pertains to autonomy and self-determination, not confidentiality. This right ensures clients can make decisions about care but does not cover privacy of medical records.

Choice C reason:
Refusal of treatment or medication also relates to autonomy and informed consent. While ethically significant, it does not specifically address how the client’s health information is protected.

Choice D reason:
Clients have the right to privacy of their health care information and medical records, which is the core aspect of confidentiality. Teaching should include how personal health data is protected, who can access it, and how the client’s rights are maintained under HIPAA regulations and hospital policy. This ensures the client understands their legal protections and the nurse’s responsibility to safeguard their information.