A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about healthful sleep habits.
Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client needs further instructions?

This statement indicates an understanding of the ethical principle of respect for autonomy, which means that the nurse respects the client’s right to make their own decisions about their care and respects their values and beliefs.

Choice A is wrong because “A nurse’s personal values are not considered when making ethical decisions.” This statement contradicts the ethical principle of integrity, which means that the nurse acts in accordance with their personal and professional values and standards.

Choice B is wrong because “A nurse’s behaviors and actions are called values.” This statement confuses values with morals, which are the judgments about behaviors and actions based on personal or societal beliefs.

Choice D is wrong because “Value clarification involves maintaining clinical competency.” This statement confuses value clarification with professionalism, which involves maintaining clinical competency, accountability, and responsibility. Value clarification is a process of self-exploration and reflection that helps the nurse identify their own values and understand how they affect their ethical decisions.

Neglect refers to the refusal or failure to provide an elderly person with necessary care, such as food, water, shelter, personal hygiene, medicine, and other essentials of daily living. Signs and symptoms of neglect in elders can include: dehydration, malnutrition, bed sores, fractures, urinary tract infections, contractures, over-medication, elopements, and poor personal hygiene. An elderly client who is admitted to the hospital looking unkempt, with dirty clothing, and smelling of urine may be suffering from neglect by a caregiver or by themselves (self-neglect).

Choice A is wrong because institutionalism is not a type of elder abuse but a term that describes the loss of individuality and autonomy that can occur in institutional settings such as nursing homes.

Choice C is wrong because emotional abuse is the infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, intimidation, or other abusive conduct. Signs and symptoms of emotional abuse in elders can include: depression, confusion, withdrawal, isolation from friends and family. An elderly client who smells of urine may not necessarily be emotionally abused.

Choice D is wrong because stubborn behavior is not a type of elder abuse but a personality trait that may or may not be present in an elderly person.

Stubborn behavior does not indicate any harm or neglect inflicted upon an older adult by others or themselves.