When a CNA delays bringing a snack to a patient beyond 30 minutes, which ethical principle is violated?

The ethical principle of fidelity pertains to the obligation of healthcare professionals to be loyal, faithful, and honor commitments to patients. In the scenario where a CNA delays bringing a snack to a patient, this principle is violated because the CNA has a commitment to provide timely care and fulfill the needs of the patient as part of their responsibilities. Fidelity emphasizes the importance of trust and reliability in healthcare, highlighting that patients depend on caregivers to meet their basic needs in a timely manner.

Timeliness, while relevant to the situation, refers more specifically to the promptness of actions rather than the ethical implications surrounding the duty of care. Justice relates to fairness in the distribution of resources and care, and fairness itself is more about equity in treatment, neither of which directly addresses the ethical commitment breach in this context. Therefore, the delay reflects a failure to uphold the principle of fidelity, as the CNA has not honored their obligation to the patient.