A nurse caring for a patient at risk of falls places the patient's bed in a low position, ensures the call light is within reach, and removes clutter from the room. Which nursing intervention should be avoided?

Introduction:

Unintentional torts represent legal wrongs committed without specific intent to cause harm. These actions arise from a failure to act with the expected standard of care, resulting in unintended but nonetheless damaging outcomes for the patient during the delivery of healthcare services.

A. Negligence is a fundamental form of unintentional tort, defined as the failure to act as a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances. It involves an omission or commission of an act that departs from the acceptable professional standard, resulting in unintended harm to the patient involved.

B. Battery is an intentional tort involving unauthorized, offensive physical contact. Because it requires the specific intent to touch the patient without consent, it is classified as an intentional act, making it incorrect to categorize it alongside unintentional torts which arise from carelessness or omission of duties.

C. Malpractice is a professional form of unintentional tort specifically applicable to licensed healthcare providers. It occurs when a professional's negligence deviates from the established standards of practice, directly causing harm or injury to the patient, thereby meeting the strict legal criteria for this classification.

D. Defamation, which includes both libel and slander, is an intentional tort. It involves the deliberate act of making false statements to damage a person's reputation. Since it requires intent to publish or speak untruthfully about someone, it is misclassified when grouped with acts of negligence or lack of care.

E. False imprisonment is an intentional tort characterized by the unlawful restraint or restriction of a person's freedom of movement without legal justification. Because this involves the deliberate confinement of a patient, it is an intentional act and therefore does not qualify as an unintentional tort in nursing.

Introduction:

Therapeutic non-verbal communication utilizes body language cues to demonstrate active engagement and empathy. By adopting an open and receptive posture, the nurse establishes trust, validates the patient’s feelings, and fosters a collaborative environment that encourages open disclosure of clinical concerns and personal health experiences.

A. Standing over the patient while talking creates a power imbalance and is often perceived as intimidating or controlling. This posture is threatening to the patient’s autonomy and comfort, effectively shutting down the therapeutic dialogue rather than promoting a welcoming, open, and safe environment for necessary patient-nurse interaction.

B. Leaning slightly forward and maintaining eye contact conveys genuine interest, professional attention, and respect for the patient. This supportive non-verbal posture encourages the patient to feel heard and valued, which is fundamental in establishing a positive, effective therapeutic relationship and improving the quality of clinical communication.

C. Crossing arms while listening is a defensive or closed body position that suggests disinterest or frustration. This behavior is uninviting, signaling to the patient that the nurse is not fully engaged or is skeptical of the information being provided, which inhibits effective, open, and honest therapeutic communication.

D. Frequently glancing at the clock suggests that the nurse is rushed, impatient, or disinterested in the patient’s needs. This behavior is dismissive, making the patient feel like a burden rather than a priority, which significantly undermines the development of a therapeutic relationship and inhibits the patient’s desire to communicate.