The nurse is sitting down with a client to begin a conversation. Which position will the nurse take to convey acceptance of the client?

Choice A reason: Informing the client about potential nurse reprimands is coercive and inappropriate, as it prioritizes the nurse’s interests over patient autonomy. This approach fails to explore the client’s reasons for refusal, which may involve side effects or mistrust, and does not support therapeutic communication or ethical care.

Choice B reason: Documenting refusal is necessary but not the first action. Exploring the reason for refusal allows the nurse to address concerns, potentially resolving issues like misunderstanding or side effects. Documentation follows after attempts to understand and educate, ensuring a therapeutic approach before recording the refusal.

Choice C reason: Asking the reason for refusal respects autonomy and initiates therapeutic communication. It identifies barriers like side effect fears or lack of understanding, enabling education or alternative solutions. This approach aligns with patient-centered care, addressing underlying issues to promote adherence while respecting the client’s rights.

Choice D reason: Stating that refusal is not permitted is coercive and violates autonomy. Clients have the right to refuse medication unless under involuntary treatment orders. This approach damages trust, escalates resistance, and contradicts ethical principles, making it an inappropriate initial response to medication refusal.

Choice A reason: Ignoring sexually aggressive behavior is unsafe and unprofessional, as it fails to address potential escalation or harm. Aggression may stem from impulsivity or mental health conditions, requiring intervention to ensure safety and maintain therapeutic boundaries, making this response inadequate and risky in a behavioral health setting.

Choice B reason: Setting firm limits and boundaries establishes clear expectations, reducing inappropriate behavior while maintaining safety. This approach addresses the client’s impulsivity or lack of control, common in mental health disorders, by reinforcing professional conduct and ensuring a therapeutic environment, making it the most effective and safe response.

Choice C reason: Walking away and delegating care avoids addressing the behavior, potentially escalating the client’s aggression or disrupting care continuity. It fails to establish boundaries, which are critical for managing behavioral issues in mental health settings, and may undermine the client’s trust in the therapeutic process, making it inappropriate.

Choice D reason: Reporting to the director without first addressing the behavior skips essential de-escalation steps. While reporting may be needed for persistent issues, immediate boundary-setting is more appropriate to manage aggression, maintain safety, and support therapeutic goals, making this response less effective as an initial action.