The nurse does not turn a client every two hours as ordered, and the client develops a pressure injury.
What legal concept applies?

This aligns with the professional code of ethics for nurses, which states that nurses should respect the dignity, worth and rights of all human beings, regardless of the nature of their health problems or their social or legal status. The nurse should not let personal feelings or biases interfere with the quality of care or the ethical obligations of the profession.

Choice A is wrong because the nurse refuses to care of the client. This violates the principle of beneficence, which means doing good and preventing harm to others.

The nurse has a duty to provide care to all patients who need it, regardless of their personal opinions or feelings.

Choice B is wrong because the nurse delegates all care of the client to an assistant. This violates the principle of accountability, which means being answerable for one’s actions and decisions. The nurse cannot delegate tasks that require nursing judgment or assessment to an unlicensed person.

The nurse is responsible for ensuring that the patient receives safe and competent care.

Choice C is wrong because the nurse provides minimal care to keep the client alive. This violates the principle of non-maleficence, which means avoiding harm or injury to others.

The nurse should not provide substandard care or neglect the patient’s needs or preferences.

The nurse should strive to promote the health and well-being of the patient.

A patient with a BMI of 38 is considered to have obesity, which means they have excess body fat that may impair their mobility and increase their risk of complications such as pressure ulcers, infections, and respiratory problems. A bariatric bed is designed to accommodate the weight and size of obese patients, and a trapeze bar can help them change positions and transfer to a chair or wheelchair.

These interventions can promote comfort, safety, and independence for the patient.

Choice A is wrong because hourly vital signs are not necessary for a patient with obesity unless they have other conditions that warrant frequent monitoring.

Choice B is wrong because implementing all fall risk precautions may be excessive and restrictive for a patient with obesity who is otherwise stable and alert.

Choice D is wrong because supine positioning can compromise the patient’s breathing and circulation, and increase the risk of pressure ulcers and aspiration.

The patient should be encouraged to change positions frequently and elevate the head of the bed when lying down.