Final answer:
The nurse is considering the ethical principle of beneficence, which involves acting for the benefit of the patient to promote their well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ethical principle the nurse is considering when assessing the risks and benefits of a meal delivery service for an older adult client who lives alone and lacks transportation is beneficence. This principle denotes the moral obligation to act for the benefit of others. By evaluating a meal delivery service, the nurse is ensuring that the action taken is for the good of the patient, which encompasses promoting well-being, preventing harm, and removing conditions that will cause harm. The nurse's actions are a direct demonstration of the commitment to the patient's welfare and the quality of life, which is at the heart of beneficence.
In contrast, autonomy focuses on the patient's right to make their own decisions regarding their healthcare, nonmaleficence emphasizes avoiding harm to the patient, and justice pertains to fairness in the distribution of resources and the burden of care.