A nurse is caring for a client who requests pain medication. The nurse fulfills a promise to return with the medication within 15 minutes. The nurse is demonstrating which of the following ethical principles?

Choice A rationale:

Notify the charge nurse of the client's request for transfer. This action might be taken eventually, but it is not the first step. The nurse should directly address the client's concerns before escalating the situation to the charge nurse.

Choice B rationale:

Assure the client that their concern has been shared with the staff. Tell the client that future calls will be answered in a timely manner. While it's important to reassure the client, promising timely responses to calls before understanding their expectations might not effectively address the underlying issue. It's better to communicate openly with the client first.

Choice C rationale:

Ask the client to verbalize their expectations. This is the correct choice. By asking the client to express their expectations, the nurse can gather crucial information about the client's concerns and needs. This allows the nurse to address the specific issues that led to the client's dissatisfaction and work toward a resolution that aligns with the client's preferences.

Answer is: Wear an N95 respirator mask when in the client’s room.

Explanation: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious disease caused by bacteria that can spread through the air. The most common way of transmission is through respiratory droplets that are expelled when a person with active TB coughs, sneezes, or speaks1. Therefore, the charge nurse should expect the newly licensed nurse to take precautions to protect themselves and the client from exposure to TB. One of these precautions is to wear an N95 respirator mask when in the client’s room2. An N95 respirator mask is a type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that filters out at least 95% of airborne particles, including bacteria and viruses3. It can prevent the nurse from inhaling or spreading TB to others.

The other options are incorrect because:

Place the client on droplet precautions: Droplet precautions are not enough to prevent transmission of TB, as they only protect against respiratory droplets that are less than 5 micrometers in diameter1. However, TB bacteria can be found in larger droplets that can travel farther and infect people who are not in direct contact with the source1.
Place the client in a room with positive-pressure airflow: Positive-pressure airflow is not effective against TB, as it does not reduce the concentration of airborne particles or prevent them from escaping through cracks and gaps in doors and windows. Moreover, positive-pressure airflow can create negative pressure in other areas of the facility, which can increase the risk of cross-contamination.
Wear a surgical mask when taking the client out of the room: A surgical mask is not sufficient to protect against TB, as it only filters out particles that are larger than 5 micrometers in diameter3. It also does not fit properly on the face and may allow some particles to pass through3.