A nurse is discharging two clients from the hospital to their homes. The provider states that the client with insurance will receive supplies to take home and the one without insurance will need to pick up supplies at the local clinic. The nurse should recognize that this is a breach of which of the following ethical principles?

Rationale: A. Beneficence: Beneficence involves promoting the well-being of clients. While both clients’ needs are important, the issue here is unequal access to resources, not the nurse’s intent to benefit them. B. Autonomy: Autonomy relates to the client’s right to make informed decisions about their own care. The situation does not interfere with either client’s ability to make choices. C. Nonmaleficence: Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm. Although delayed access to supplies could indirectly cause harm, the primary ethical concern is the fairness in distribution, not direct harm by action. D. Justice: Justice involves fairness and equitable treatment. Providing supplies to one client based on insurance status while requiring the other to obtain them elsewhere reflects unequal treatment and a breach of the principle of justice.