A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and asks the nurse, "Who should get a copy of my advance directives?" Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

A. "Competency and capacity are often discussed as being the same thing, but they are different." Competency is a legal determination made by a court, while capacity is a clinical assessment made by healthcare providers. Although they are related, they are distinct concepts.

B. "Capacity and competency are the same thing and can be used interchangeably." This is incorrect because capacity refers to a person's ability to make a decision at a specific moment, while competency is a broader legal determination regarding decision-making ability.

C. "A client who has been deemed legally incompetent can provide informed consent for treatment." A legally incompetent client cannot provide informed consent. Instead, a legally designated surrogate (guardian or power of attorney) makes medical decisions on their behalf.

D. "Competency and capacity are rarely a concern when caring for clients who have a mental illness." Mental illness can impact decision-making capacity, making assessments crucial. Competency and capacity evaluations are common in mental health settings, especially for clients with cognitive impairment or psychosis.

A. "You don't have to be afraid to go. Our therapists are very understanding." This statement assumes the client is afraid and dismisses their perspective.

B. “I am not saying that you need therapy, but I am sure it will help you.” This minimizes the client’s concerns and implies that the nurse knows best.

C. “I understand that you feel like you don’t need it; however, the provider thinks it will help.”This statement dismisses the client’s feelings and shifts the focus to the provider’s opinion rather than the client’s needs.

D. "You don't feel like group therapy is for you. Tell me more about what you know about group therapy." This is an open-ended, client-centered response that encourages discussion and helps the nurse understand the client’s perspective.