A nurse in a mental health facility is caring for a client who expresses anxiety about exercising in the outdoor courtyard. The nurse promises to walk with the client in the courtyard each day. Which of the following ethical principles is the nurse demonstrating?

Choice A reason: Fidelity is keeping promises and maintaining trust, as the nurse commits to walking daily with the client. This builds therapeutic reliability, reducing anxiety through consistent support, aligning with ethical standards where honoring commitments fosters psychological safety and strengthens the nurse-patient relationship scientifically.Choice B reason: Justice involves fair resource distribution, not individual promises like walking with a client. This scenario focuses on personal commitment, not equity among patients. Ethically, justice applies to systemic fairness, lacking relevance to this specific supportive action grounded in trust-building principles.Choice C reason: Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm, but promising to walk exceeds mere harm prevention, aiming to alleviate anxiety actively. While it supports well-being, it’s not the primary principle here. Scientifically, this is more about trust than just safety, distinguishing it from nonmaleficence’s core intent.Choice D reason: Autonomy respects client decisions, but the nurse’s promise is her initiative, not the client’s choice. It supports, not directs, independence. Ethically, autonomy focuses on self-determination, whereas this action reflects commitment, making fidelity the more fitting principle in this scenario.