A nurse is reinforcing teaching to a client who is to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depression. Which of the following information should the nurse provide?

A. Increased cheerfulness, increased energy, helping other nurses on the shift. While mood changes can sometimes indicate a problem, increased cheerfulness and willingness to help others are not specific red flags for substance use disorder. Substance use is more commonly associated with erratic behavior, frequent absences, or medication discrepancies.
B. Increased irritability towards supervisors, outspokenness regarding work issues, increased attendance at staff meetings. Frustration with workplace issues and increased engagement in staff meetings do not necessarily indicate substance use disorder. Behavioral concerns related to substance use often include impaired judgment, frequent errors, or missing narcotics.
C. Volunteering for overtime on a continual basis, avoiding having a witness to wasting narcotics, needing to be alone in the medication room when preparing medications. Consistently seeking extra shifts, avoiding witnesses when handling narcotics, and needing to be alone while preparing medications suggest possible drug diversion. These behaviors align with common patterns seen in healthcare professionals struggling with substance use disorders.
D. Crying, sharing personal details of relationship problems, monopolizing conversations. Emotional distress and oversharing personal issues may indicate stress or burnout rather than substance use disorder. Substance use concerns are more closely tied to inconsistent work performance, medication discrepancies, and altered behavior related to drug access.

A. Inform the newly licensed nurse that they are successfully building trust and rapport. While therapeutic communication is essential, personalizing the interaction in this way crosses professional boundaries. Comparing a client to a family member can create unrealistic expectations and blur the nurse-client relationship. Maintaining professional distance ensures objective and ethical care.
B. Ask the newly licensed nurse if they are comfortable providing care to the client. While assessing a nurse’s comfort level is important, it does not address the boundary violation. The concern is not about the nurse's comfort but about maintaining professionalism in client interactions. Direct intervention is needed to correct the inappropriate statement and reinforce professional conduct.
C. Record that the newly licensed nurse is able to maintain professional nurse-client boundaries. The statement made by the newly licensed nurse demonstrates a boundary issue rather than professionalism. Nurses should establish rapport without over-identification with clients. Documenting that the nurse maintained boundaries would be inaccurate and fail to address the issue.
D. Assign the newly licensed nurse to a different client. The statement suggests an emotional attachment that may interfere with objective care. Reassigning the nurse prevents further boundary issues and allows for education on maintaining professionalism. Ensuring appropriate nurse-client relationships promotes ethical practice and patient-centered care.