A nurse is caring for a client who has a mental illness.
Which of the following actions by the nurse demonstrates the ethical concept of autonomy?
Supporting the client's wish to refuse prescribed medications.
Explaining unit rules and policies regarding unacceptable behaviors.
Making sure the client understands expectations for client participation.
Encouraging client feedback about satisfaction with the facility experience.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Supporting the client's wish to refuse prescribed medications directly aligns with the ethical principle of autonomy. Autonomy, in the context of healthcare, grants individuals the right to make informed decisions about their own bodies and treatment plans, even if those decisions go against medical advice. It's crucial to respect a client's autonomy, even when they have a mental illness, as long as they have the capacity to make informed decisions. Key points to elaborate on:
Capacity to make informed decisions: Assess if the client can understand the risks and benefits of refusing medication, as well as the potential consequences of their decision.
Informed consent: Ensure the client has received comprehensive information about their diagnosis, treatment options, and potential risks and benefits, enabling them to make an informed choice.
Balancing autonomy with beneficence: While autonomy is paramount, nurses also have a duty of beneficence, which means acting in the client's best interests. Engaging in open discussions about the rationale for medication, exploring potential concerns, and offering alternative treatment options can help balance autonomy with beneficence.
Mental illness and decision-making: Acknowledge that mental illness can sometimes impact decision-making abilities. However, this does not automatically negate a client's right to autonomy. Careful assessment and ongoing communication are essential.
Advocacy: Nurses can play a vital role in advocating for clients' autonomy, ensuring their voices are heard and their wishes respected within the healthcare system.
I'll continue with rationales for other choices in the following responses, aiming for approximately 1000 words in total, as instructed.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Antipsychotic medications are a class of drugs commonly used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. They work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. However, dopamine is also involved in motor control, and blocking its receptors can lead to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS).
EPS are a group of movement disorders that can be caused by antipsychotic medications. They include: Akathisia: A feeling of restlessness and an inability to sit still.
Dystonia: Involuntary muscle contractions that can cause twisting or spasms.
Parkinsonism: Symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, such as tremor, rigidity, and slowness of movement. Tardive dyskinesia: Involuntary, repetitive movements of the face, tongue, or other body parts.
The risk of developing EPS is higher with older antipsychotic medications, such as haloperidol and chlorpromazine. Newer antipsychotic medications, such as risperidone and olanzapine, are less likely to cause EPS, but they can still occur.
Clients who are taking antipsychotic medications should be monitored for EPS. If EPS develop, the medication may need to be changed or the dose reduced.
Choice B rationale:
Enzymes are not known to cause EPS. They are used to treat pancreatitis by helping the body to digest food.
Choice C rationale:
Insulin is not known to cause EPS. It is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus by helping the body to control blood sugar levels.
Choice D rationale:
Iron supplements are not known to cause EPS. They are often taken by pregnant women to prevent iron deficiency anemia.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Agoraphobia: This choice directly aligns with the client's presentation of being afraid to leave her home alone. Agoraphobia is a specific phobia characterized by an intense fear of situations that the individual perceives as inescapable or that might potentially lead to panic or embarrassment. Common triggers for agoraphobic individuals include crowded spaces, open spaces, public transportation, or being alone outside of the home. The client's inability to leave her home for weeks due to fear is a classic symptom of agoraphobia.
B. Xenophobia: This choice refers to the fear of strangers or foreigners. While the client may experience anxiety in unfamiliar situations, the primary focus of her fear is being outdoors alone rather than encountering unfamiliar people. Additionally, the daughter's description of the client's fear specifically mentions being alone, further supporting agoraphobia as the more likely diagnosis.
C. Mysophobia: This choice refers to an extreme or obsessive fear of germs or contamination. While anxiety related to cleanliness could coexist with agoraphobia, the primary presenting complaint in this case is the fear of being outdoors, not specifically germs or contamination.
D. Aerophobia: This choice refers to the fear of flying or being in high places. There is no indication in the scenario that the client's fear is specifically related to heights or flying, making this choice less likely.
Therefore, based on the specific nature of the client's fear and the limited information provided, agoraphobia is the most probable diagnosis and the one the nurse should anticipate planning care for.
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