A nurse accidentally administers a medication to the wrong patient, and the patient experiences a serious untoward reaction.
For which tort can the nurse be legally charged?

Choice A rationale

Battery in a legal context refers to the intentional touching of another person without their consent. Inserting a urinary catheter into a client's urethra after the client has explicitly refused the procedure constitutes a non-consensual physical contact. Even if the procedure was ordered, the lack of consent transforms the act into battery, especially if it results in injury to the client.

Choice B rationale

Dereliction of duty, a component of negligence, involves a failure to meet the accepted standard of care. While inserting a catheter against a client's will could be seen as a failure in ethical and potentially professional standards, the specific tort of battery focuses on the unauthorized physical contact, regardless of whether it was done negligently or with intent to harm (though intent to touch without consent is present).

Choice C rationale

Assault involves an intentional act that creates a reasonable apprehension of immediate harmful or offensive contact. While the client may have felt threatened or apprehensive when the nurse proceeded despite their refusal, the actual insertion of the catheter and subsequent injury constitute battery, as physical contact occurred. Assault precedes battery; battery is the actual physical contact.

Choice D rationale

Invasion of privacy pertains to the wrongful intrusion into a person's private affairs or the public disclosure of private information. While a client has a right to privacy regarding their body and medical procedures, the act of physically inserting a catheter against their will, leading to injury, primarily constitutes a physical violation and lack of consent, which falls under the definition of battery.

Choice A rationale

While clarifying values is important in end-of-life care, the immediate need is to respect the client's current wishes and provide space for processing his emotions. Forcing a values clarification at this moment might add pressure.

Choice B rationale

Educating the client on death and dying concepts might be helpful at some point, but it doesn't directly address his immediate emotional need to protect his family from sadness. His focus is on their well-being, not his understanding of the dying process.

Choice C rationale

Arranging a meeting without the client's consent or readiness disregards his autonomy and stated wishes. This could increase his distress and violate his right to make decisions about his interactions.

Choice D rationale

Providing time for quiet reflection acknowledges the client's emotional state and respects his need to process his feelings privately. This allows him to cope with his impending death in a way that feels most comfortable and protective of his family, fostering autonomy and dignity.