The nurse is continuing to care for the client.

Exhibits

A nurse is evaluating the client's response to therapy. Which of the following recent findings indicate the client's condition has improved or not changed?
For each assessment finding, click to specify if the finding indicates that the client's condition has improved or has not changed.

Rationale:
A. "I will ask your provider to discuss options for discontinuing treatment with you.": This response supports the client’s autonomy and right to refuse treatment while ensuring that the provider is informed to discuss the medical and ethical aspects of stopping therapy. It reflects respect for the client’s wishes and promotes shared decision-making.

B. "You cannot legally discontinue treatment unless you have a living will.": A living will is not required for a client to refuse or discontinue treatment. Competent clients have the legal and ethical right to make decisions about their own care, including the choice to stop therapy, regardless of advance directives.

C. "You must continue with these treatments because they are lifesaving.": This statement disregards the client’s autonomy and imposes the nurse’s opinion on the client’s decision. Even if the treatment is potentially lifesaving, the client has the right to decline it based on their personal values and quality-of-life considerations.

D. "I know your provider thinks these treatments are necessary for you.": This response shifts focus away from the client’s preferences and reinforces the provider’s opinion instead. It fails to acknowledge the client’s emotional and ethical right to choose.

Rationale:
A. A client who is receiving a blood transfusion and reports low-back pain: Low-back pain during a blood transfusion indicates a possible acute hemolytic reaction caused by ABO incompatibility. This is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate discontinuation of the transfusion and notifying the provider to prevent renal failure and shock.

B. A female client who is scheduled for chemotherapy and has an RBC count of 4.0 x10⁶/µL (4.2–5.4 x10⁶/µL): Although the RBC count is slightly low, this finding is not immediately life-threatening. The provider should be informed, but the client does not require urgent intervention.

C. A client who is 24 hr postoperative following a transurethral resection of the prostate and has small blood clots in the drainage tubing: Small clots are expected during the first 24 to 36 hours post-TURP due to residual bleeding from the surgical site.

D. A client who is 2 days postoperative following placement of an ascending colostomy and has shreds of bloody mucus in the bag: Small amounts of bloody mucus are normal during the early postoperative phase as the bowel mucosa heals.