A nurse is caring for an adolescent who requests screening for sexually transmitted infections (STI). The client asks the nurse. "Do you have to tell my parents?" How should the nurse respond to the adolescent?

Rationale:

A. The client is admitted due to noncompliance at home: The term "noncompliance" is vague and judgmental. Documentation should focus on specific behaviors or observations (e.g., "client was not taking prescribed medications") rather than generalizing or attributing motives.

B. The client uses neologisms when speaking to others: This statement is objective and describes a specific, observable behavior. Using clinical terms to document symptoms of schizophrenia aligns with accurate and professional documentation standards.

C. The client is disruptive and annoying to other clients in the facility: This phrasing is subjective and emotionally charged. Accurate documentation should avoid value-laden terms and instead describe the exact behavior (e.g., "client raised voice and interrupted group session").

D. The client's partner is making their symptoms worse: This is speculative and not based on objective observation. Unless the client specifically states this or it is directly witnessed, such assumptions should not be included in medical documentation.

Rationale:
• Compartment syndrome: Casts can restrict swelling, increasing pressure within the compartment. Moderate toe edema and capillary refill slowing from brisk to 3 seconds are warning signs. Without prompt intervention, tissue perfusion may decline, leading to ischemia.

• Edema of toes: Progressive edema signals impaired venous return or rising intracompartmental pressure. It reflects worsening limb status under the cast. This change, with slowed refill, supports risk for compartment syndrome.

• Malunion: Malunion develops over weeks due to misalignment during healing. No imaging or prolonged healing time is reported. Acute symptoms like swelling and pain don’t indicate this long-term issue.

• Physeal damage: Growth plate injury would affect long-term limb development. The adolescent shows intact toe movement and normal limb function otherwise. No evidence of joint or bone disruption is presented.

• Inability to ambulate: The femur fracture and cast already restrict ambulation. Lack of walking is expected at this stage. It doesn't suggest any specific complication like infection or compartment syndrome.

• Infection: Fever is low-grade and expected post-injury or from opioids. No redness, drainage, or systemic illness is present. Pain is stable and localized, not escalating or spreading.

• Decreased dorsalis pedis pulse: Pulses are 2+, meaning circulation is present and adequate. Decreased or absent pulse would indicate severe compromise, but that is not seen here. It does not reflect early compartment syndrome.