How should a licensed practical nurse address a patient's interest in using therapeutic touch for pain management?

A. Provide information about therapeutic touch and consult with the care team regarding its implementation: The nurse should respect patient autonomy and investigate evidence-based non-pharmacological options. Consulting with the multidisciplinary team ensures the therapy is safe and integrated into the overall clinical plan. This promotes patient-centered care while maintaining professional standards and safety. B. Include therapeutic touch in the care plan without consulting the patient: Implementing any therapy without patient consent violates the ethical principle of autonomy and the legal requirement for informed consent. The care plan must be a collaborative effort between the provider and the client. Nurses must discuss all interventions before they are added to the chart. C. Discourage the patient from pursuing non-conventional methods: Dismissing a patient's interest in complementary therapies can damage the therapeutic relationship and cause the patient to withhold information. If the therapy is safe, it can be a valuable adjunct to conventional pain management. The nurse should be an objective resource rather than a barrier. D. Refer the patient to seek advice outside of the health care system: This approach fragments care and may lead the patient to seek unsafe or unregulated practitioners. The nurse's role is to facilitate safe integration within the healthcare system whenever possible. Directing the patient away prevents the clinical team from monitoring for interactions or outcomes.