A nurse is participating in the care of a 4-year-old child as part of the interdisciplinary team. Which of the following observations should the nurse report to the physical therapist?

A) Patient Health Questionnaire - 9:
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a screening tool used to assess the severity of depression in a client. It is not specific to detecting tardive dyskinesia, which is a movement disorder caused by long-term use of antipsychotic medications. Therefore, this tool is not appropriate for assessing tardive dyskinesia.

B) Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale:
The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is the correct tool to screen for tardive dyskinesia. It is specifically designed to assess involuntary movements, such as those seen in tardive dyskinesia, which is a common side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic medications. The AIMS evaluates the presence and severity of abnormal movements, making it the most appropriate tool for this purpose.

C) Mental Status Examination:
The Mental Status Examination (MSE) is a broad assessment used to evaluate a client’s cognitive and emotional functioning. It includes aspects such as appearance, behavior, mood, thoughts, and perception but does not specifically assess for movement disorders like tardive dyskinesia. While it can provide useful information about a client's mental state, it is not focused on detecting motor side effects of antipsychotic medications.

D) Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale:
The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is used to assess the severity of psychiatric symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, and mood disturbances, primarily in individuals with schizophrenia or other psychiatric disorders. It does not specifically assess for tardive dyskinesia, so it is not the most appropriate screening tool for identifying this condition.

A) Autonomy: Autonomy refers to the right of individuals to make their own choices and decisions. While the nurse’s actions may promote the client’s independence in the future, the nurse’s promise to walk with the client does not directly address or uphold the client’s autonomy. The nurse is offering support rather than encouraging the client to make independent decisions about their participation in the exercise.

B) Fidelity: Fidelity involves being faithful and keeping promises or commitments. In this scenario, the nurse promises to walk with the client in the courtyard each day, and this promise demonstrates the ethical principle of fidelity. The nurse is demonstrating trustworthiness and loyalty by committing to help the client overcome their anxiety and follow through with the daily exercise.

C) Justice: Justice is the ethical principle that focuses on fairness and equal treatment for all individuals. While justice is important in providing equal care to all clients, it is not the primary principle in this scenario. The nurse’s actions focus on meeting the specific needs of the individual client, which is more aligned with fidelity.

D) Nonmaleficence: Nonmaleficence means “do no harm.” While the nurse’s goal is to prevent harm by helping the client address their anxiety, the primary ethical principle at play here is fidelity, as the nurse is keeping their promise to provide consistent support. Nonmaleficence would be more relevant if the nurse were directly addressing potential harm or risk associated with the client’s situation, but the promise to walk with the client focuses more on the nurse’s commitment.