A patient is having difficulty making a decision. The nurse has mixed feelings about whether to provide advice. Which principle usually applies? Giving advice:

A) is rarely helpful.
B) fosters independence.
C) lifts the burden of personal decision making.
D) helps the patient develop feelings of personal adequacy.

Giving advice fosters dependence on the nurse and interferes with the patient's right to make personal decisions. Giving advice also robs patients of the opportunity to weigh alternatives and to develop problem-solving skills. Furthermore, it contributes to patient feelings of personal inadequacy. It also keeps the nurse in control and feeling powerful.