A nurse is preparing the body of a client who is deceased to be viewed by the family. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• emotional lability: The client’s sudden and intense shifts in mood, such as calling the nurse "horrible" and then later saying the nurse is "the best," are classic signs of emotional lability. This rapid mood instability is a hallmark feature of borderline personality disorder and reflects difficulties regulating emotions.
• increased heart rate: An increased heart rate is a physiological response often linked to anxiety, panic, or substance use but is not a defining characteristic of borderline personality disorder. It does not directly represent a core emotional or relational disturbance seen in this disorder.
• elevated body temperature: Elevated body temperature is a physical finding associated with infection, inflammation, or drug reactions. It is not a behavioral or psychological symptom related to borderline personality disorder.
• tactile hallucinations: Tactile hallucinations, such as feeling sensations that are not there, are associated with psychotic disorders or substance intoxication rather than borderline personality disorder. They are not characteristic features of this condition.
• fear of abandonment: Individuals with borderline personality disorder have a profound fear of abandonment, whether real or perceived. This fear often leads to intense emotional reactions and unstable interpersonal relationships, as seen in the client’s extreme reactions toward the nurse.

A. Remind the client that they have been refusing the medication for 5 days: Pointing out the duration of refusal may come across as confrontational and does not respect the client's right to refuse treatment. It can also damage the therapeutic relationship without addressing the underlying concerns about the medication.

B. Inform the client that their provider will contact them to discuss their refusal of the medication: While involving the provider may eventually be necessary, the immediate nursing action should be to document the refusal accurately. The nurse can then inform the provider if needed based on facility policy.

C. Document the client's refusal in the medication administration record: Clients have the legal right to refuse medication, and it is the nurse’s responsibility to document the refusal clearly and objectively. Accurate documentation ensures legal protection for the client and the healthcare team and maintains the integrity of the medical record.

D. Notify the pharmacy about the client's refusal of the medication: Notifying the pharmacy about a single medication refusal is unnecessary unless there are repeated refusals requiring a change in the medication order. The pharmacy’s role is not to manage client compliance but to dispense prescribed medications.