A psych nurse is advocating for equal access to mental health resources for all patients. Which ethical principle are they primarily promoting?

Choice A reason: Fidelity refers to the nurse's obligation to be faithful to commitments and to keep promises made to the patient. It focuses on the individual nurse-patient relationship and the maintenance of trust through loyalty and veracity rather than the broader societal distribution of healthcare resources. Choice B reason: Nonmaleficence is the ethical duty to "do no harm." In a psychiatric context, this involves protecting patients from injury, medication errors, or unnecessary restraints. While essential for bedside care, it does not directly address the systemic allocation of resources or social equity. Choice C reason: Autonomy involves respecting the patient's right to make their own decisions regarding their treatment and healthcare. While advocacy can support autonomy by providing information, the specific act of seeking equal access for a whole population is a matter of distributive fairness. Choice D reason: Justice is the ethical principle that focuses on fairness and the equitable distribution of benefits and burdens. When a nurse advocates for equal access to mental health resources regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or geography, they are promoting social and distributive justice within the healthcare system.