A nurse in a mental health unit is discussing the concepts of competency and capacity with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the concepts?

A. "Competency and capacity are often discussed as being the same thing, but they are different." Competency is a legal determination made by a court, while capacity is a clinical assessment made by healthcare providers. Although they are related, they are distinct concepts. B. "Capacity and competency are the same thing and can be used interchangeably." This is incorrect because capacity refers to a person's ability to make a decision at a specific moment, while competency is a broader legal determination regarding decision-making ability. C. "A client who has been deemed legally incompetent can provide informed consent for treatment." A legally incompetent client cannot provide informed consent. Instead, a legally designated surrogate (guardian or power of attorney) makes medical decisions on their behalf. D. "Competency and capacity are rarely a concern when caring for clients who have a mental illness." Mental illness can impact decision-making capacity, making assessments crucial. Competency and capacity evaluations are common in mental health settings, especially for clients with cognitive impairment or psychosis.