A nurse is caring for a client in an intensive care unit. The client develops delirium while recovering from surgery. To promote safety, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A Reason:
Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Clients with this disorder do not typically experience sensory impairments as a direct result of their condition. The primary concerns with narcissistic personality disorder involve interpersonal relationships and self-esteem issues rather than sensory deficits.

Choice B Reason:
Conversion disorder, also known as functional neurological symptom disorder, involves neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by medical or neurological conditions. These symptoms can include sensory impairments such as blindness, deafness, or loss of sensation. Assessing clients with conversion disorder for sensory impairments is crucial because these symptoms are a key feature of the disorder. The nurse should evaluate the client's sensory function to provide appropriate care and support.

Choice C Reason:
Mild anxiety disorder typically involves symptoms such as excessive worry, restlessness, and physical symptoms like increased heart rate or muscle tension. Sensory impairments are not a common feature of mild anxiety disorder. While anxiety can affect perception and concentration, it does not usually lead to sensory deficits. The nurse should focus on managing anxiety symptoms rather than assessing for sensory impairments.

Choice D Reason:
Severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While OCD can significantly impact a client's daily functioning and quality of life, it does not typically cause sensory impairments. The primary focus for clients with severe OCD should be on managing obsessions and compulsions through therapy and medication.

Choice A Reason:
Autonomy refers to respecting the client's right to make their own decisions about their healthcare. By supporting the client's refusal of medications, the nurse is acknowledging the client's right to self-determination and informed consent. This principle is fundamental in healthcare ethics, as it empowers clients to take control of their own treatment and make choices that align with their values and preferences. Respecting autonomy involves providing the client with all necessary information to make an informed decision and supporting their choice, even if it differs from the healthcare provider's recommendation.

Choice B Reason:
Justice in healthcare refers to fairness and equality in the distribution of resources and treatment. While justice is an important ethical principle, it is not directly related to the nurse's support of the client's refusal of medications. Justice would be more relevant in ensuring that all clients have equal access to care and that resources are allocated fairly. In this scenario, the focus is on the client's individual right to make decisions about their own treatment.

Choice C Reason:
Veracity refers to truthfulness and honesty in communication between healthcare providers and clients. While veracity is crucial in building trust and ensuring informed consent, it is not the primary ethical principle at play when supporting a client's refusal of medication. Veracity would involve providing accurate information about the benefits and risks of the medication, but the act of supporting the client's decision is more closely aligned with the principle of autonomy.

Choice D Reason:
Beneficence involves acting in the best interest of the client and promoting their well-being. While beneficence is a key ethical principle in healthcare, it can sometimes conflict with autonomy. In this case, the nurse may believe that taking the medication is in the client's best interest (beneficence), but the client has the right to refuse treatment (autonomy). Supporting the client's decision respects their autonomy, even if it means not following what the nurse believes to be the best course of action for the client's health.