A nurse is reinforcing teaching about delirium with the caregiver of a client. Which of the following information should the nurse include?

A) Weight loss: Weight loss is not a sign of fluid overload; rather, it is more indicative of dehydration or insufficient nutritional intake. Fluid overload typically leads to weight gain due to the accumulation of excess fluid in the body, so weight loss would not be a manifestation of this condition.

B) Decreased skin turgor: Decreased skin turgor is a common sign of dehydration, not fluid overload. When a person is dehydrated, the skin loses its elasticity, and it takes longer to return to its normal position after being pinched. This is the opposite of what is seen in fluid overload, where excess fluid causes the skin to appear more swollen or taut.

C) Decreased blood pressure: Decreased blood pressure is more commonly associated with hypovolemia (low fluid volume) or dehydration, rather than fluid overload. In fluid overload, blood pressure may actually rise due to the increased volume of circulating blood, not decrease.

D) Crackles heard in the lungs: Crackles, or rales, heard in the lungs are a classic sign of fluid overload, particularly when the excess fluid accumulates in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This can occur due to the heart's inability to pump effectively, leading to fluid retention in the lungs. Therefore, crackles in the lungs are a key manifestation of fluid overload.

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.