A nurse delegates a task to an assistive personnel (AP) and the AP refuses to complete the assigned task. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. "It is your choice to share personal information during group therapy" is correct. The ethical principle of autonomy emphasizes respecting a client's right to make decisions about their own care, including the right to share or withhold personal information. Allowing the client to choose what to share supports their independence and decision-making ability.

B. "I will be truthful when answering questions about your treatment" promotes veracity, not autonomy. While truthfulness is important in nursing, it does not directly pertain to the principle of client autonomy.

C. "The nursing staff here will provide you with nonjudgmental care" promotes beneficence and respect for the client's dignity, but it does not directly address the principle of autonomy, which focuses on the client’s ability to make choices.

D. "I will only discuss your medical information with the health care team" supports confidentiality and privacy, not autonomy. Autonomy involves respecting a client’s decision-making, not just protecting their information.

A. Wipe any excess medication from the inner canthus outward: This is the correct approach. When administering ophthalmic ointment, the nurse should wipe away any excess from the inner canthus to the outer canthus to prevent contamination of the unaffected eye and to avoid spreading the infection.

B. Instruct guardian to apply erythromycin ophthalmic ointment every morning for 14 days.: This is incorrect because the child has been prescribed bacitracin ophthalmic ointment, not erythromycin. The nurse should instruct the guardian to use the prescribed medication as directed.

C. Gently massage the eyelid to facilitate absorption of the medication.: Massaging the eyelid is unnecessary and could lead to irritation or injury. The medication should be allowed to be absorbed naturally without additional manipulation.

D. Place an occlusive dressing on the affected eye to prevent the spread of infection.: An occlusive dressing is not recommended as it may cause increased irritation or pressure on the eye. The best practice is to maintain proper hygiene and follow the prescribed medication regimen.