Which finding best indicates that the goal "demonstrate a healthy self-concept" has been achieved for an adult?

Choice A reason: Autonomy involves respecting a patient’s right to make decisions. While relevant in mental health, the scenario focuses on differing treatments for similar conditions, not patient choice, making autonomy less directly applicable than the principle of fair treatment across patients.

Choice B reason: Beneficence emphasizes promoting patient well-being. Both restraints and supervision aim to prevent harm, fulfilling beneficence, but the concern is about unequal treatment, not the intent to benefit, making this principle less relevant than justice.

Choice C reason: Justice involves fair and equitable treatment for all patients. Using restraints for one self-mutilating patient and supervision for another raises concerns about consistency and fairness in care, directly aligning with the ethical principle of justice, making this the correct choice.

Choice D reason: Nonmaleficence focuses on avoiding harm. Both interventions aim to prevent self-mutilation, fulfilling this principle, but the ethical issue is about equitable application, not harm avoidance, making justice the more relevant principle in this scenario.

Choice A reason: Peplau’s interpersonal relations theory emphasizes the nurse-patient relationship as a therapeutic tool. Reflecting on interactions helps nurses understand dynamics, build trust, and adjust approaches, fostering therapeutic growth, making this the correct choice aligned with her theory.

Choice B reason: Administering medications is a clinical task, not a core component of Peplau’s theory, which focuses on interpersonal dynamics. While important, it does not directly enhance the therapeutic relationship, making this choice incorrect for the theory’s focus.

Choice C reason: Documenting behaviors is standard practice but not central to Peplau’s theory, which prioritizes relational dynamics over administrative tasks. Documentation supports care but does not foster interpersonal growth, making this choice incorrect for the theory.

Choice D reason: Teaching coping skills is therapeutic but secondary to Peplau’s focus on the nurse-patient relationship itself. Reflection on interactions directly supports the theory’s emphasis on understanding relational dynamics, making this choice less relevant than self-reflection.