A nurse is caring for a client who has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and requires mechanical ventilation. The client receives a prescription for pancuronium. The nurse recognizes that this medication is for which of the following purposes?

Choice A reason: Justice. This answer is incorrect because justice is the ethical principle that ensures fair and equal treatment for all clients, regardless of their personal or social characteristics. Justice does not apply to this situation, as the client is not being discriminated against or denied any resources.

Choice B reason: Veracity. This answer is incorrect because veracity is the ethical principle that requires honesty and truthfulness from the provider and the nurse in providing information and education to the client. Veracity does not apply to this situation, as the client is not being deceived or misled about their condition or treatment options.

Choice C reason: Fidelity. This answer is incorrect because fidelity is the ethical principle that obligates the provider and the nurse to be faithful and loyal to the client and to honor their commitments and promises. Fidelity does not apply to this situation, as the client is not being abandoned or betrayed by the provider or the nurse.

Choice D reason: Autonomy. This answer is correct because autonomy is the ethical principle that respects the client's right to make their own decisions about their health care, even if they are different from the provider's or the nurse's recommendations. Autonomy applies to this situation, as the client is expressing their preference to discontinue the ventilator, which is a life sustaining treatment.

Choice A reason: Impaired sense of humor is not a common finding for a client who had a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere. Impaired sense of humor is more likely to occur after a stroke involving the right cerebral hemisphere, which is responsible for processing humor, irony, and sarcasm.

Choice B reason: Poor judgment is not a typical finding for a client who had a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere. Poor judgment is more likely to occur after a stroke involving the frontal lobe, which is involved in executive functions, such as planning, reasoning, and decision making.

Choice C reason: Intellectual impairment is a possible finding for a client who had a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere. The left cerebral hemisphere is dominant for language and analytical thinking in most people. A stroke affecting this hemisphere can impair the ability to speak, read, write, calculate, and comprehend information.

Choice D reason: Loss of depth perception is not a frequent finding for a client who had a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere. Loss of depth perception is more likely to occur after a stroke involving the occipital lobe, which is involved in visual processing, or the parietal lobe, which is involved in spatial awareness.