A nurse is reinforcing teaching about receiving epinephrine as an emergency intervention for anaphylaxis. Which of the following information should the nurse reinforce with the client?

A. "I will support your decision and help you explain it to others.": This response respects the client's autonomy and decision-making rights. It also offers emotional support and assistance in communicating the client's wishes to other healthcare team members or family, promoting dignity and advocacy.

B. "Let me explain the pros and cons of your decision.": This response may sound judgmental and suggest that the nurse is trying to influence the client's decision. Once a competent client has made a choice, the nurse’s role is to support it rather than attempt to persuade or second-guess it.

C. "I suggest you discuss this decision with your family first.": While family discussions can be valuable, the client has the primary right to make healthcare decisions. Suggesting they must discuss it with family could delay honoring the client’s wishes or create unnecessary emotional pressure.

D. "I will send the social worker in to discuss this decision with you.": While a social worker can provide additional support, immediately deferring to someone else instead of acknowledging the client’s decision can make the client feel dismissed. The nurse should first validate and support the client’s expressed wishes.

• alcohol intoxication: Although the client consumed one beer, this small amount is unlikely to cause unresponsiveness, respiratory depression, or the need for naloxone administration. Alcohol intoxication alone does not explain the profound sedation and pinpoint pupils observed.
• alcohol withdrawal: Alcohol withdrawal typically presents with signs like agitation, tremors, hallucinations, and seizures, not sedation, miosis, and depressed respiratory drive. The client’s symptoms are inconsistent with alcohol withdrawal.
• hallucinogen intoxication: Hallucinogen use usually leads to agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, and dilated pupils (mydriasis), not the sedated state, respiratory depression, and miotic pupils that this client is exhibiting.
• opioid intoxication: The client's unresponsiveness, respiratory depression, and pinpoint pupils, combined with a positive response to naloxone, are classic indicators of opioid intoxication. These findings directly align with the expected effects of opioid overdose.
• opioid withdrawal: Opioid withdrawal presents with signs like agitation, mydriasis, diarrhea, piloerection, and flu-like symptoms. The client’s current state of sedation and miotic pupils contradicts what would be seen during opioid withdrawal.
• amount of alcohol consumed: The small amount of alcohol (one beer) does not correlate with the severity of the client’s clinical presentation. Thus, alcohol consumption is not the primary factor contributing to the current state.
• breath sounds: Breath sounds are clear and equal bilaterally, indicating that the lungs are not the source of the client's critical condition. There is no evidence of respiratory infection or pulmonary complications.
• abdominal findings: Decreased bowel sounds are common in opioid intoxication due to decreased gastrointestinal motility. However, while supportive, this finding is less definitive than the hallmark sign of pupil constriction.
• pupil characteristics: The presence of pinpoint pupils (miosis) is a hallmark sign of opioid intoxication. Miotic pupils, especially in an unresponsive client who improved after naloxone, strongly support opioid overdose as the primary diagnosis.
• current temperature: The client's temperature is within normal limits, providing no significant diagnostic clue toward explaining the cause of unresponsiveness or respiratory depression.