The agreement to keep promises is?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2020

Explanation

Fidelity is the ethical principle that refers to faithfulness and the agreement to keep promises.
In the nursing profession, this means being loyal and fulfilling all responsibilities to patients, colleagues, and the profession.
It is a cornerstone for building a trusting and therapeutic nurse-patient relationship, as it demonstrates reliability and respect.

Option A: Beneficence is the principle of acting to benefit others or 'doing good.' While related to good nursing care, it does not specifically mean keeping promises.
Option B: Non-maleficence is the principle of 'do no harm.' It focuses on avoiding actions that could cause injury or suffering to the patient.
Option C: Justice refers to fairness, equality, and the equitable distribution of healthcare resources and treatment.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Ethical Principles in Nursing as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Practicing fidelity is crucial for establishing and maintaining patient trust. When a nurse consistently keeps their word, it reassures the patient that they are cared for and respected, which strengthens the therapeutic relationship.
A breach of fidelity, such as failing to follow through on a promise without explanation, can damage patient trust and lead to feelings of abandonment and anxiety.
What if? A nurse promises to bring a patient a glass of water but is immediately called to a code blue emergency. Fidelity requires the nurse to prioritize the emergency but also to not forget the original promise. The nurse should delegate the task to a colleague or fulfill the promise as soon as the emergency is resolved, demonstrating accountability.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question stem. The key phrase here is 'agreement to keep promises.'
Recognize that this is a definition-based question testing your knowledge of fundamental ethical principles in nursing.
Systematically review the definitions of each option.
Beneficence means 'doing good.'
Non-maleficence means 'do no harm.'
Justice means 'fairness.'

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 81-83

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.