A home health nurse is reinforcing teaching about home safety with an older adult client who lives alone. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A. "Once my health care proxy is in place, I relinquish my right to make my own decisions" is incorrect. A health care proxy only comes into effect when the individual becomes incapacitated and unable to make decisions. Until then, the client retains the right to make their own decisions.

B. "My health care proxy designee is not able to sign a consent form on my behalf" is incorrect. The health care proxy designee is authorized to make decisions about medical treatment, which includes signing consent forms on the client’s behalf if the client is unable to do so.

C. "If I have a health care proxy, then I do not need to have a living will" is incorrect. A living will and a health care proxy are separate documents. A living will specify a person’s wishes regarding medical treatments in case they are unable to communicate, while a health care proxy designates someone to make decisions on their behalf. Both can be used together.

D. "I do not need to name a relative as my designee in my health care proxy" is correct. The designee does not have to be a relative. The client can choose anyone they trust to make healthcare decisions on their behalf when they are unable to do so.

A. Encourage the client to be assertive is correct. Encouraging assertiveness is important for a client with dependent personality disorder (DPD., as they often have difficulty making decisions or taking initiative. Teaching the client to express their needs, opinions, and desires is a key part of treatment and helps promote independence.

B. Maintain a verbal no-harm contract with the client is incorrect. While maintaining a no-harm contract may be appropriate for clients at risk for self-harm, this is not specific to dependent personality disorder. The main goal is to promote independence and healthy decision-making, not just ensuring safety.

C. Limit the client's social interactions is incorrect. In fact, encouraging healthy social interactions and gradual independence from others is often an important part of treatment for DPD. Limiting interactions could reinforce dependency and hinder progress.

D. Assume responsibility for making the client's decisions is incorrect. The nurse should encourage the client to make their own decisions and foster independence, rather than taking over their decisions, which could worsen the dependent behaviors.