A nurse is providing care for a surgeon on a medical-surgical unit. A nurse from another unit asks the nurse about the surgeon's medical diagnosis. The nurse responds that he is unable to provide the information requested. The nurse is displaying which of the following ethical principles?

A. Measure the circumference of both upper arms: This is the priority action. Swelling above the PICC insertion site could indicate infiltration or another complication. Measuring the circumference of both upper arms allows the nurse to assess the extent of swelling and monitor for any changes over time, providing valuable information for further intervention and evaluation.
B. Notify the provider who inserted the PICC line: This is an important action, but it may not be the first step. Before notifying the provider, the nurse should gather objective data by assessing the client's condition, such as measuring arm circumference, to provide a comprehensive report to the provider.
C. Remove the PICC line: This is not the first action to take. Removing the PICC line should only be considered after thorough assessment and under the direction of a healthcare provider, especially if there are signs of complications such as swelling.
D. Apply a cold pack to the client's upper arm: While applying a cold pack may help reduce swelling in some cases, it is not the priority action in this situation. The nurse should first assess the extent of swelling and gather additional data before implementing interventions such as cold therapy.

A. At the beginning: Examining the tympanic membrane at the beginning of the physical examination may not be ideal because it disrupts the flow of the assessment. It's more logical to start with general observations and proceed to more specific areas of assessment.
B. Before auscultating the chest and abdomen: While examining the tympanic membrane before auscultating the chest and abdomen may seem reasonable, it's not the optimal sequence. The nurse should focus on assessing major body systems before proceeding to more specific areas, such as the ears.
C. At the end: This is the correct approach. After completing the assessment of major body systems, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, and abdominal systems, the nurse can then proceed to examine the ears, including the tympanic membrane. This sequence ensures a systematic and organized assessment.
D. Before examining the head and neck: While examining the tympanic membrane before the head and neck may seem logical due to proximity, it's more practical to conduct a comprehensive head-to-toe assessment first before focusing on specific areas like the ears.