A nurse tells a patient that they will return in 30 minutes with their medication. The nurse returns 30 minutes later with the patient's medication. Which ethical principle is she demonstrating?

A. “Clients must always have a family member present during treatment to ensure their rights are protected.” Clients have the right to privacy and do not require a family member’s presence for treatment unless legally mandated (e.g., minors).

B. "Clients cannot be discharged without their consent, even if they are no longer a risk to themselves or others." Clients can be discharged when they are no longer a risk, even if they disagree, unless under a legal hold.

C. "Clients have the right to refuse medication unless a court order mandates it." Clients have the right to refuse treatment unless a court order requires medication for safety or competency.

D. "All client interactions must be recorded, even if they are informal and unrelated to their care plan." Only relevant, objective, and care-related information should be documented, as excessive documentation can violate privacy.

A. "Competency and capacity are often discussed as being the same thing, but they are different." Competency is a legal determination made by a court, while capacity is a clinical assessment made by healthcare providers. Although they are related, they are distinct concepts.

B. "Capacity and competency are the same thing and can be used interchangeably." This is incorrect because capacity refers to a person's ability to make a decision at a specific moment, while competency is a broader legal determination regarding decision-making ability.

C. "A client who has been deemed legally incompetent can provide informed consent for treatment." A legally incompetent client cannot provide informed consent. Instead, a legally designated surrogate (guardian or power of attorney) makes medical decisions on their behalf.

D. "Competency and capacity are rarely a concern when caring for clients who have a mental illness." Mental illness can impact decision-making capacity, making assessments crucial. Competency and capacity evaluations are common in mental health settings, especially for clients with cognitive impairment or psychosis.