A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to a client who is obese. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Choice A rationale:

The statement, "I will take the medication in the morning," indicates lack of understanding. Metformin is usually taken with large meals, and taking it in the morning is not the best timing.

Choice B rationale:

The statement, "I will expect to gain weight," is incorrect. Weight gain is not an expected side effect of metformin. In fact, metformin is often associated with weight loss or weight maintenance, especially in individuals with diabetes, as it helps improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.

Choice C rationale:

The statement, "I will take the medication on an empty stomach," is incorrect for extended-release metformin tablets. Unlike immediate-release metformin, extended-release tablets should be taken with meals to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.

Choice D rationale:

The statement, "I will avoid crushing this medication," is correct. Metformin extended-release tablets should never be crushed or broken, as it can affect the way the medication is released into the body. Crushing or breaking the tablet can lead to a sudden release of a large amount of metformin, potentially causing an overdose.

Choice A rationale:

Fidelity refers to the principle of being loyal, faithful, and keeping promises. It does not specifically relate to providing accurate information about treatment effects. In this scenario, the nurse is discussing the potential adverse effects of a treatment, which falls under the domain of providing accurate and truthful information to the client.

Choice B rationale:

Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good and promoting the well-being of the patient. While educating the client about potential adverse effects is a form of beneficence, the specific principle demonstrated in this scenario is veracity, which is the duty to tell the truth. The nurse is being truthful about the potential side effect (lightheadedness) while clarifying that it should not affect memory.

Choice C rationale:

Veracity is the ethical principle of truth-telling. In this scenario, the nurse is demonstrating veracity by providing honest and accurate information to the client about the potential adverse effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation. By being truthful, the nurse upholds the ethical principle of veracity.

Choice D rationale:

Autonomy refers to the principle of respecting the patient's right to make decisions about their own healthcare. While respecting autonomy is important, the nurse's action in this scenario specifically pertains to providing accurate information (veracity) rather than solely focusing on the client's decision-making autonomy.