Which statement reflects the nurse coach's approach to client authority during assessment?

• A. The coach acknowledges, respects and affirms the client as the authority on his/her own health and wellbeing.
• B. The coach dictates the client's plan.
• C. The coach disregards client input.
• D. The coach avoids discussing client's wellbeing.

Answer: (A)

In client-centered assessment, recognizing the client as the authority on his/her own health is essential. This approach honors autonomy, invites the client to share lived experiences, values, and goals, and builds trust, which helps gather accurate information and align the process with what truly matters to the client. When the coach treats the client as the expert on their wellbeing, it supports collaborative goal setting and a plan that the client is willing to commit to. Conversely, directing the plan, ignoring input, or avoiding discussions about wellbeing undermine engagement and trust, making it harder to assess needs accurately. So the statement that reflects the nurse coach’s approach is to acknowledge, respect, and affirm the client as the authority on his/her own health and wellbeing.