Which ethical principle is described as a commitment to keep promises and be faithful to patients?

Which ethical principle is described as a commitment to keep promises and be faithful to patients?

• A. Fidelity
• B. Autonomy
• C. Justice
• D. Nonmaleficence

Answer: (A)

Fidelity is about trust and keeping promises in the patient relationship. When a nurse commits to a plan, follows through on care, and maintains confidentiality and loyalty, they are upholding fidelity. This principle underpins reliability, so patients can count on the nurse to act in their best interests and not abandon them, even when situations are challenging. By being faithful to agreements about care, explanations, and follow-up, the nurse builds a trusting therapeutic relationship that supports effective treatment. Autonomy focuses on respecting a patient’s right to make their own decisions; justice deals with fairness and resource distribution; nonmaleficence is about avoiding harm. Fidelity complements these by ensuring the nurse’s actions align with promises and commitments made to patients.

Fidelity is about trust and keeping promises in the patient relationship. When a nurse commits to a plan, follows through on care, and maintains confidentiality and loyalty, they are upholding fidelity. This principle underpins reliability, so patients can count on the nurse to act in their best interests and not abandon them, even when situations are challenging. By being faithful to agreements about care, explanations, and follow-up, the nurse builds a trusting therapeutic relationship that supports effective treatment. Autonomy focuses on respecting a patient’s right to make their own decisions; justice deals with fairness and resource distribution; nonmaleficence is about avoiding harm. Fidelity complements these by ensuring the nurse’s actions align with promises and commitments made to patients.