A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and is refusing to take prescribed medications. Which of the following ethical principles is the nurse displaying when supporting the client's refusal of medications?

Choice A reason: Providing a client with a timeline for grieving is not recommended as grief is a highly individual experience and does not follow a set timeline. Each person's journey through grief is unique, and imposing a timeline may invalidate their feelings and hinder the natural process of grieving.

Choice B reason: Encouraging the client to express their feelings is considered a best practice in nursing care for patients with dementia experiencing anticipatory grief. It allows the patient to acknowledge and work through their emotions, which is an important aspect of coping with grief. Open communication can also help the nurse to assess the patient's emotional state and provide appropriate support.

Choice C reason: While showing sympathy can be comforting, it is more beneficial to show empathy. Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another, which helps in building a stronger connection and providing more personalized care. Sympathy might sometimes be perceived as pity, which can be counterproductive in the therapeutic relationship.

Choice D reason: Sharing personal stories of grief with the client is generally not advised as the focus should remain on the client's experiences. The nurse's role is to facilitate the client's expression of grief, not to shift the focus to their own experiences. Personal stories may also trigger additional stress for the client.

Choice A reason: Assisting the client to use new coping strategies is an important part of managing bipolar disorder, but it is not the first action a nurse should take when establishing a nurse-client relationship. Coping strategies will be more effective once a trusting relationship has been established and the client feels secure in sharing personal information.

Choice B reason: Establishing confidentiality guidelines with the client is the first and most crucial step in forming a therapeutic nurse-client relationship. It sets the foundation for trust and openness, ensuring the client understands that their personal information will be protected and shared only with those directly involved in their care.

Choice C reason: Helping the client to make behavioral changes is a goal in the treatment of bipolar disorder. However, before any interventions can be planned or implemented, the nurse must first establish a rapport and trust with the client, which begins with ensuring confidentiality.

Choice D reason: Sharing information with the client about their disorder is essential for their understanding and participation in care. However, this should occur after establishing a relationship in which the client feels comfortable and secure, knowing their privacy is respected.