A nurse is caring for a client whose partner recently died. The nurse sits with the client to provide comfort. Which of the following ethical principles is the nurse demonstrating?

A. Beneficence: Beneficence involves actions that promote the well-being of others and provide comfort, support, or care. By sitting with the client to offer emotional support following the loss of a partner, the nurse is actively promoting the client’s welfare and demonstrating compassion, which aligns with the ethical principle of beneficence. B. Fidelity: Fidelity refers to maintaining trust and keeping promises or commitments to clients. While important in nursing, simply providing comfort through presence does not directly involve promise-keeping, making this principle less applicable in this scenario. C. Veracity: Veracity is the obligation to tell the truth and provide accurate information. Sitting with the client for emotional support does not involve disclosure or truth-telling, so it is not the primary ethical principle demonstrated here. D. Autonomy: Autonomy pertains to respecting a client’s right to make their own informed decisions about care. Providing comfort through presence supports well-being but does not involve facilitating or respecting decision-making in this situation.