A nurse is considering the delegation of administering topical medications to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). What is the first query the nurse must ask herself before doing so?

Choice A rationale

Deception involves intentionally misleading someone. Applying physical restraints for the client's safety, while ethically complex, is a transparent intervention intended to prevent harm, not to deceive the client. The intent is protective, even if the client resists.

Choice B rationale

Advocacy involves supporting the client's best interests and rights. While the nurse's concern for the client's safety is a form of advocacy, the act of physical restraint itself can be seen as limiting the client's autonomy, potentially conflicting with a purely advocacy-based approach.

Choice C rationale

Harm, in an ethical context, refers to physical or psychological injury or damage. While the intention of restraints is to prevent falls and physical harm, the application of restraints can itself cause physical injury (e.g., skin breakdown, nerve damage) or psychological distress (e.g., fear, humiliation, loss of control). Therefore, it is a measure that carries the potential for harm.

Choice D rationale

Paternalism involves making decisions for a client that the healthcare professional believes are in the client's best interest, even against the client's wishes. Applying restraints to prevent the client from harming themselves, despite their resistance, aligns with the concept of paternalism, prioritizing safety over autonomy in this specific situation.

Choice A rationale

Playing music chosen by the client can promote relaxation by providing a familiar and comforting auditory stimulus. Music can help to reduce anxiety and create a calming environment, thus minimizing sensory overload in a client recovering from a stroke in the intensive care unit. This personalized approach respects the client's preferences and can positively influence their emotional state, fostering a more restful atmosphere conducive to healing.

Choice B rationale

Encouraging frequent visitors throughout the day can contribute to sensory overload for a client recovering from a stroke. While social support is important, excessive stimulation from multiple visitors can be overwhelming and disrupt the client's rest and recovery process in the intensive care unit, potentially increasing agitation and hindering relaxation.

Choice C rationale

Sitting in a chair next to the client and talking can be stimulating and may not promote relaxation, especially for a client who has recently experienced a stroke. Depending on the content and tone of the conversation, this interaction could increase sensory input and potentially cause agitation or fatigue rather than fostering a calm and restful environment needed for recovery in the intensive care unit.

Choice D rationale

Turning on the television to the Super Bowl would likely exacerbate sensory overload due to the bright lights, loud noises, and fast-paced visual stimulation. This type of environment is counterproductive to promoting relaxation and can be particularly overwhelming for a client recovering from a stroke in the intensive care unit, potentially increasing anxiety and hindering rest.