What does the ethical principle of veracity demand from nurses?

The ethical principle of veracity requires nurses to be honest in their communication with patients and colleagues. This means providing accurate and truthful information, which is essential for fostering trust in the nurse-patient relationship. When nurses practice veracity, they help patients make informed decisions about their care, ensuring that patients fully understand their diagnoses, treatment options, and the implications of those choices. Honesty is foundational in healthcare, as it contributes to effective communication, patient safety, and overall quality of care.

While advocacy for patient rights, accountability for actions, and transparent decision-making are all important ethical principles within nursing practice, they do not specifically define the principle of veracity. Advocacy emphasizes the nurse’s role in supporting and defending patients' rights, accountability relates to being responsible for one's actions, and transparent decision-making involves being open about the processes and criteria used in making clinical decisions. However, veracity specifically focuses on the aspect of truthfulness and integrity in communication.