A nurse is discharging two clients from the hospital to their homes. The client with insurance will receive supplies to take home and the one without insurance will need to pick up supplies at the local community health department. The nurse should recognize that this is a breach of which of the following ethical principles?

Choice A reason: Persistent anger about the hurricane is a PTSD symptom, reflecting emotional dysregulation and hyperarousal post-trauma. This ongoing distress, per DSM-5 criteria, warrants referral for mental health evaluation to address potential PTSD, making it a correct indicator for intervention.
Choice B reason: Realizing life will not return to normal is a realistic adjustment, not necessarily a PTSD symptom. Without additional distress indicators, this does not meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD, making it incorrect for requiring a referral in this context.
Choice C reason: Moving to higher ground is a practical response to reduce future risk, not a PTSD symptom. It reflects adaptive coping rather than psychological distress, so it does not warrant a referral for PTSD assessment, making it incorrect.
Choice D reason: Frequent nightmares about the hurricane are a hallmark PTSD symptom, classified as intrusive re-experiencing per DSM-5. This significant distress disrupts sleep and daily functioning, necessitating a referral for mental health evaluation, making it a correct choice.
Choice E reason: Feeling disconnected from others indicates emotional numbing, a PTSD avoidance symptom per DSM-5. This social withdrawal post-hurricane suggests significant psychological impact, warranting a referral for PTSD assessment to address underlying trauma, making it correct.

Choice A reason: Asking if the client informed her provider about family disagreement shifts focus from addressing her emotional needs to a procedural question. It does not facilitate therapeutic communication or explore the client’s feelings about her family’s opposition. This response fails to support the client’s autonomy or address the psychological impact of her decision, making it less effective in this context.
Choice B reason: Restating the client’s concern about family disagreement uses reflective listening, a therapeutic technique that validates her feelings and encourages further discussion. This approach fosters trust, helps the client process her emotions, and supports her autonomy in deciding on the mastectomy, aligning with patient-centered care principles for addressing sensitive decisions.
Choice C reason: Stating that the nurse would make the same decision introduces personal bias, which is inappropriate in therapeutic communication. It shifts focus from the client’s needs to the nurse’s perspective, potentially undermining the client’s autonomy. This response does not address the family’s opposition or support the client’s decision-making process, making it ineffective.
Choice D reason: Suggesting the client needs family agreement before signing consent undermines her autonomy as a competent adult. Informed consent requires only the client’s understanding and agreement, not family approval. This response dismisses the client’s decision-making capacity and fails to address her emotional concerns about family opposition, making it inappropriate.