Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 95%
Full-length
The acute care clinic nurse administers a prescribed narcotic for a client with renal colic and then discharges the client without ensuring that the client has a designated driver. The client is subsequently involved in a motor vehicle accident causing injury to self and others. Which ethical principle did the nurse violate?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
Nonmaleficence (do no harm) was violated by discharging the client under narcotic influence without ensuring safe transport, leading to harm. Autonomy, paternalism, and veracity are not primarily affected.