A nurse in the emergency department is caring for an older adult client who has dementia and exhibits clinical findings of abuse.
The nurse reports the abuse to social services. Which of the following provisions in the American Nurses Association's Code of Ethics best describes the nurse's action?

Choice A rationale

Providing patient-centered care involves tailoring interventions to individual patient preferences and values, emphasizing respect for autonomy and shared decision-making. This competency promotes a holistic approach, integrating the patient's cultural background, personal beliefs, and unique needs into the care plan to optimize therapeutic outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Choice B rationale

Employing evidence-based practice necessitates integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. This scientific approach ensures that nursing interventions are grounded in robust empirical data, enhancing the effectiveness and safety of care while minimizing reliance on outdated or unproven methods.

Choice C rationale

Delivering care in a safe manner requires diligent application of principles to prevent medical errors, reduce adverse events, and minimize risks to patients. This involves adhering to safety protocols, utilizing technology for error reduction, and fostering a culture of safety where near misses and errors are reported for system improvement.

Choice D rationale

Working in interdisciplinary teams involves effective communication, mutual respect, and collaborative decision-making among healthcare professionals from various disciplines. This competency is crucial for coordinated care delivery, allowing for comprehensive patient assessments, shared care planning, and seamless transitions across different healthcare settings.

Choice E rationale

Partnering with the consumer emphasizes active patient and family engagement in their healthcare journey, recognizing them as integral members of the healthcare team. This collaboration fosters shared understanding, empowers individuals to make informed decisions, and promotes adherence to treatment plans, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.

Choice A rationale

Resubmitting work previously published in a local magazine constitutes self-plagiarism, which is unethical. This practice is considered a violation of academic and professional integrity as it misrepresents previously published material as new original content, even if the author is the same, undermining the principles of novelty and originality in scholarly work.

Choice B rationale

Listing numerous secondary sources as references is not an appropriate action to avoid plagiarism; in fact, it can sometimes indicate a lack of original thought or excessive reliance on others' interpretations. While secondary sources can be used, the focus should be on integrating them with proper citation and original analysis rather than just listing many.

Choice C rationale

Presenting new ideas to supplement referenced material is an appropriate action to avoid plagiarism. This demonstrates original thought and analysis, where the nurse builds upon existing knowledge by adding their unique insights, interpretations, or applications, ensuring that the work is a synthesis of others' ideas and the author's original contribution, all properly cited.

Choice D rationale

Quoting extensively without proper citation is a direct form of plagiarism. Plagiarism involves using others' words or ideas without giving credit, regardless of whether direct quotes are used. Extensive quoting, even with citation, can suggest a lack of original synthesis; however, lacking citation altogether is a clear breach of academic integrity.