A nurse ensures all patients are triaged based on clinical need rather than personal bias. Which ethical principle is this ?

Choice A reason: Autonomy refers to the right of the patient to make their own healthcare decisions and self-govern their medical treatment. While essential in nursing, it pertains to informed consent and individual choice rather than the equitable distribution of resources or the fairness of triage systems. Choice B reason: Justice is the ethical principle that focuses on fairness, equity, and the appropriate distribution of healthcare resources. In the context of triage, justice requires that patients be treated and prioritized based on the severity of their clinical condition and medical necessity, ensuring impartial treatment for all individuals. Choice C reason: Fidelity involves the obligation to be faithful to commitments and promises made to the patient. it encompasses loyalty and the maintenance of the nurse-patient relationship. While important, it does not specifically address the systematic, unbiased prioritization of a group of patients in a triage setting. Choice D reason: Non-maleficence is the ethical duty to "do no harm." It requires nurses to avoid actions that would deliberately hurt a patient or put them at unnecessary risk. While unfair triage could lead to harm, the specific act of unbiased, equitable prioritization is best defined by the principle of justice.