A charge nurse observes a licensed practical nurse (LPN) tell a client that she will return with a medication to help relieve the client's nausea. The LPN does not return with the medication. The charge nurse should reinforce which of the following ethical principles with the LPN?

The correct answer is C: Fidelity. Fidelity refers to the principle of keeping promises and being faithful to commitments. In this scenario, the LPN made a promise to the client to return with medication but failed to do so, breaching trust and fidelity. Reinforcing fidelity with the LPN would emphasize the importance of honoring commitments to patients. Nonmaleficence (A) refers to avoiding harm, which is not directly related to the breach of trust in this case. Veracity (B) relates to truthfulness, not the issue of failing to fulfill a promise. Justice (D) pertains to fair treatment and distribution of resources, which is not the primary concern in this situation.