A nurse in a provider's office is caring for a client who has total vision loss and is the handler of a service dog. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to show consideration for the client and the service animal?

Nursing care for a client with total vision loss who uses a service animal requires respect for both the client’s autonomy and the working role of the service dog. A service animal is not a pet; it is a trained medical aid that supports independence and safety for individuals with disabilities. Maintaining appropriate boundaries is essential to avoid distracting the animal from its duties. Service dog etiquette includes always interacting through the client rather than directly engaging the dog without permission. Rationale: A. Offering the dog a bowl of water without consulting the client is inappropriate because it bypasses the client’s control and understanding of the service animal’s needs. Service dogs are highly trained, and their care routines are usually managed by the handler. Uninvited interaction may disrupt the dog’s focus and interfere with its working responsibilities. B. Consulting the client before approaching the dog is appropriate because it respects the client’s autonomy and ensures the service animal is not unnecessarily distracted from its task. The client is the primary handler and best understands when and how the dog may be interacted with safely. This approach supports therapeutic communication and maintains professional boundaries. C. Commanding the dog to sit is inappropriate because the nurse is not the handler and the dog is trained to respond only to its designated client. Giving commands can confuse the animal and interfere with its working role. All communication and control of the service dog should remain with the client to ensure safety and proper function. D. Petting the dog briefly is not appropriate without permission because it may distract the service animal from its duties, especially if it is actively assisting the client. Service dogs are working animals, not pets, and unnecessary interaction can reduce their effectiveness. Respecting the dog’s role requires avoiding physical contact unless the client explicitly allows it.