A nurse is caring for a client receiving chemotherapy. The nurse considers that while chemotherapy offers an opportunity to cure the client's cancer, it also causes much discomfort and suffering for the client. Which ethical principle does chemotherapy present?

Choice A reason:
Teaching clients, especially regarding medications such as insulin, requires nursing judgment, assessment of understanding, and evaluation of learning. This responsibility falls within the scope of practice of a licensed nurse, not UAP.

Choice B reason:
Sterile wound care requires clinical judgment, assessment of the wound, and evaluation for signs of infection. These tasks are outside the scope of practice for UAP and must be performed by a licensed nurse.

Choice C reason:
Assisting a stable client with ambulation is a routine, noninvasive task that does not require nursing assessment or clinical judgment. This is an appropriate delegation to UAP, provided the client is stable and mobility assistance has been deemed safe.

Choice D reason:
Assessing lung sounds involves interpretation of clinical findings and evaluation of respiratory status, which are components of nursing assessment. This task must be performed by a licensed nurse.

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.