A nurse in a long-term care facility is planning care for several clients. Which of the following activities should the nurse delegate to the licensed practical nurse (LPN)?

Choice A rationale:

Keeping a promise to a client not to tell their family about their diagnosis is an example of fidelity, respecting confidentiality and maintaining trust. However, it does not directly reflect the ethical principle of beneficence, which focuses on actions that promote the patient's well-being and best interests.

Choice B rationale:

Providing therapeutic touch to a dying patient by holding their hand is an example of beneficence. This action demonstrates compassion, emotional support, and comfort to the patient in a critical and vulnerable time. It promotes the patient's well-being by addressing their emotional and psychological needs.

Choice C rationale:

Involving a client in making decisions about their care is an example of respecting their autonomy and practicing shared decision-making. While this action is important and aligns with the principle of autonomy, it is not a direct example of beneficence, which centers on actively doing good for the patient.

Choice D rationale:

Telling the truth about forgetting to perform a procedure for a client is an example of honesty and integrity, which are essential ethical principles in nursing. However, it does not directly relate to beneficence, which emphasizes actions that actively contribute to the patient's well-being and benefit.

Choice A rationale:

Enclosing the dressing in a single clear plastic bag and discarding it in the bedside trash receptacle is not the appropriate method for disposing of a dressing saturated with blood and purulent drainage. Blood and purulent drainage are considered potentially infectious materials, and they should be handled as biohazardous waste to prevent the spread of infection.

Choice B rationale:

This is the correct choice. When dealing with potentially infectious materials such as blood and purulent drainage, it's essential to dispose of them in a biohazardous waste container. This specialized container is designed to contain potentially infectious materials and prevent their spread, thereby protecting both healthcare workers and the environment.

Choice C rationale:

Discarding the dressing in the bedside trash receptacle is not the recommended approach for disposing of materials that are contaminated with blood and purulent drainage. Simply discarding it in the regular trash increases the risk of infection transmission and is not compliant with proper infection control practices.

Choice D rationale:

Double-bagging the dressing in clear bags and labeling it "biohazard" is a good practice to ensure proper containment. However, it's not the most comprehensive method of disposal. Placing the dressing in a dedicated biohazardous waste container is a more secure and standardized method for disposing of potentially infectious materials.