A charge nurse on a mental health unit is teaching newly licensed nurses about client rights. Which of the following statements by a staff nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Introduction: In psychiatric nursing, ethical autonomy and legal rights are paramount to protecting client dignity. Clients retain their civil rights, including the right to refuse treatment, unless a legal determination of incompetency is made. Maintaining the least restrictive environment is a fundamental legal requirement for all mental health facilities. A. Seclusion must only be used as a last resort when a client is a physical danger to themselves or others and less restrictive measures have failed. Using seclusion because a client refuses to engage in conversation is a violation of their rights and constitutes false imprisonment and unethical practice. B. Admission to a psychiatric facility does not automatically render a client incompetent. Most psychiatric clients retain the legal capacity to provide informed consent for treatments and procedures. Competency is a legal status determined by a judge, and psychiatric illness itself does not strip a person of their right to self-determination. C. Prn or as-needed prescriptions for restraints are strictly prohibited by Joint Commission standards and federal law. Every episode of restraint or seclusion requires a new, specific order from a licensed provider after a face-to-face evaluation. This ensures that restraints are never used for staff convenience or as a routine intervention. D. Informed consent is a continuous process rather than a one-time event. A client has the legal right to change their mind and withdraw consent for any treatment or procedure at any point. This retraction can be communicated either verbally or in writing and must be honored immediately by the healthcare team.