A nurse is speaking with the sibling of a client who refuses to see visitors. Which action is appropriate?

• A. Arrange for the sibling to visit the client in the dayroom.
• B. Refer the sibling to the client's provider.
• C. Encourage the client to visit with the sibling.
• D. Tell the sibling the client does not want visitors.

Answer: (D)

Respecting the client's autonomy and boundaries is essential. When a client clearly declines visitors, the nurse should acknowledge that choice and communicate it to the sibling with empathy, honoring the client's wishes while offering to revisit the situation later if the client changes their mind. This protects the client's right to control who enters their space and avoids pressuring them to socialize.

Arranging a visit in the dayroom would override the client's stated wish and could feel coercive. Referring the sibling to the client's provider doesn’t address the immediate need to respect the patient’s preference. Encouraging the client to visit with the sibling would pressure the patient and undermine their autonomy.