A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a group of clients.
The nurse should identify that informed consent is required for which of the following procedures?

The correct answer is: d. Location of the identification tag on the client’s body.

Choice A reason: The cause of the client’s death is determined by a physician or a medical examiner and is not typically documented by nurses in postmortem documentation. The cause of death is a medical determination that involves a complex process, including examination and possibly an autopsy.

Choice B reason: The last set of the client’s vital signs is relevant prior to death and is part of the end-of-life documentation. However, once the client has passed away, recording vital signs is no longer applicable and is not included in postmortem documentation.

Choice C reason: A copy of the client’s advance directives is an important document that outlines the client’s wishes regarding medical treatment and interventions. While it is crucial before the client’s death, it does not need to be included in postmortem documentation, as it serves no purpose after death.

Choice D reason: The location of the identification tag on the client’s body is a critical piece of information that must be included in postmortem documentation. This ensures that the body is correctly identified throughout the postmortem process, including during transfer to a mortuary or funeral home.

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should encourage the client to be assertive. Dependent Personality Disorder is characterized by a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clinging behavior. One of the treatment goals is to help the client develop assertiveness skills to reduce their dependence on others. Encouraging assertiveness allows the client to express their needs and make decisions for themselves, which is an essential aspect of their therapeutic journey toward independence.

Choice B rationale:

Assuming responsibility for making the client's decisions would not be appropriate. It would further reinforce the client's dependent behavior and hinder their progress towards independence. The goal of therapy is to promote autonomy and self-reliance, not to perpetuate dependency.

Choice C rationale:

Maintaining a verbal no-harm contract with the client may be necessary in some cases, especially if the client exhibits self-harming behaviors. However, it is not a primary teaching point when educating the caregiver about managing a client with Dependent Personality Disorder. The focus should primarily be on helping the client develop assertiveness and self-reliance.

Choice D rationale:

Limiting the client's social interactions is not an appropriate intervention. Social support can be beneficial for individuals with Dependent Personality Disorder, as it can help them build self-confidence and reduce their excessive reliance on one individual. Isolating the client would not be in their best interest.