A 22-year-old voluntary client has been manipulative of staff and disruptive in the milieu. Although the client is not a danger to themselves or others, the client has created challenges for other clients on the unit and is clearly not making progress. The nurse offers prescribed medication, but the client consistently refuses. The staff realizes that legally this client can:

Choice A reason: A calm expression does not reliably indicate low anxiety, as individuals may mask emotions due to cultural norms or coping mechanisms. Nonverbal cues are subjective and context-dependent, and physiological signs like heart rate or cortisol levels are more accurate indicators of anxiety than facial expressions alone.

Choice B reason: Eye contact is not a universal measure of attentiveness, as cultural norms vary (e.g., some cultures avoid eye contact to show respect). Individual factors like anxiety or neurodiversity can also affect eye contact, making it an unreliable indicator of engagement without considering context and patient background.

Choice C reason: Nonverbal communication, such as gestures or expressions, varies widely across cultures and individuals. For example, nodding may signify agreement in one culture but acknowledgment in another. Individual personality or mental health conditions also influence nonverbal cues, making this statement accurate as it accounts for diverse interpretations.

Choice D reason: Therapeutic touch responses vary by individual and cultural preferences, and some patients may find it intrusive or distressing. Verbal interaction is often more consistent in therapeutic settings, as it allows clearer communication of intent. Touch is not universally more effective, making this statement inaccurate.

Choice A reason: Left-sided flank pain may suggest kidney stones or infection but is not specific to AKI. Pain can occur in various conditions, including pyelonephritis or ureteral obstruction, and does not directly indicate reduced glomerular filtration or oliguria, which are hallmarks of AKI, making it less urgent.

Choice B reason: Blood pressure of 138/86 mm Hg and heart rate of 92 bpm are within normal ranges and not specific to AKI. While hypertension can occur in AKI due to fluid overload, these values do not strongly suggest AKI without other signs like oliguria or lab abnormalities.

Choice C reason: Cloudy urine with sediment and foul odor suggests a urinary tract infection, not necessarily AKI. Infections can coexist with AKI but are not diagnostic. AKI is characterized by reduced urine output and elevated creatinine, not primarily by urine appearance, making this finding less indicative.

Choice D reason: Urine output of 150 mL in 8 hours (450 mL/day) indicates oliguria, a key sign of AKI, where kidneys fail to filter adequately, reducing urine production. This can lead to fluid overload and toxin accumulation, necessitating urgent provider notification to evaluate and manage potential AKI complications like hyperkalemia.