A nurse in the recovery room is assessing a client who has a new chest tube. The nurse finds that the water seal is no longer tidaling. The nurse should identify the finding as resulting from which of the following?

A. An air leak noted at the insertion site would result in continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber, not the absence of tidaling.

B. If the tubing is kinked or obstructed, it can prevent the movement of air in and out of the water seal chamber, leading to the absence of tidaling.

C. If water needs to be added to the suction-control chamber, this would affect the level of suction, not the tidaling in the water seal chamber.

D. If the suction is set too low, it would not necessarily affect the tidaling in the water seal chamber; instead, it would result in inadequate drainage or lack of suction.

- A) Utility: This principle is about producing the greatest good for the greatest number. In the case of a medication error, the focus is not on the collective good but on the individual patient's rights and well-being.
- B) Paternalism: This principle involves making decisions for others, potentially against their will, for their own good. It does not directly apply to the situation of a medication error where the patient's autonomy and right to be informed are paramount.
- C) Fidelity: This principle refers to loyalty and keeping one's promises. While important, it is secondary to the immediate need for honesty and transparency in the event of a medication error.
- D) Veracity: This principle obligates healthcare providers to tell the truth. When a medication error occurs, it is crucial to inform the patient about the mistake and the steps being taken to remedy it, making veracity the most applicable ethical principle in this scenario.