NCLEX RN Practice Question

The nurse should first confirm that the client has decision-making capacity, then respect and advocate for the client's autonomous choice by collaborating with the interprofessional team to honor the client's wishes. Client autonomy takes priority when the client is competent and informed. Resorting immediately to the courts is premature unless capacity cannot be established or conflict persists despite team efforts. Deferring to family demands or continuing treatment without consent violates the ethical principle of autonomy and the nurse's duty to advocate for the client.