A nurse observes another nurse acting flirtatiously and bringing small gifts, such as candy, to a client in the behavioral health unit. Which action is a priority by the observing nurse?

In order to protect the rights of the client, the nurse should report the behavior to the supervisor.

The client is entitled to have a relationship with anyone and the nurse should ignore the behavior.

The nurse should confront the nurse and tell them the behavior must immediately stop.

Discuss this with the client and tell them they are being emotionally manipulated.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

When a nurse observes another nurse acting flirtatiously and bringing small gifts to a client in the behavioral health unit, it raises concerns about professional boundaries and the potential for unethical behavior. The priority action for the observing nurse is to protect the rights and well-being of the client.

Option A, reporting the behavior to the supervisor, is the appropriate course of action. Reporting the observed behavior to the supervisor ensures that the situation is investigated and addressed by the appropriate authorities within the healthcare facility. This action helps maintain the integrity of the therapeutic relationship between the client and healthcare team and protects the client from any potential exploitation or manipulation.

Options B, C and D are not appropriate actions:

B. Ignoring the behavior is not appropriate as it does not address the concerns about professional boundaries and the potential for unethical behavior. Ignoring such behavior may allow it to continue, potentially putting the client at risk.

C. Confronting the nurse directly without first reporting the behavior to the supervisor may not be the most appropriate course of action. It is essential to involve the appropriate authorities within the healthcare facility to conduct a proper investigation and address the situation professionally.

D. Discussing the situation with the client and making assumptions about emotional manipulation may not be appropriate or accurate. It is not the observing nurse's role to discuss such matters with the client. Instead, the appropriate course of action is to report the observed behavior to the supervisor or appropriate authority within the healthcare facility.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The correct answer is c. Beneficence.

Choice A: Autonomy

Autonomy refers to the right of individuals to make decisions about their own lives and bodies. In the context of nursing, it means respecting a patient’s right to make their own healthcare decisions. However, in the case of seclusion due to loud and intrusive behavior, the primary concern is not about the patient’s decision-making capacity but rather the safety and well-being of the patient and others on the unit.

Choice B: Justice

Justice is the ethical principle that emphasizes fairness and equality. It involves ensuring that patients are treated fairly and that resources are distributed equitably. While justice is important in healthcare, it does not directly address the appropriateness of seclusion in response to disruptive behavior.

Choice C: Beneficence

Beneficence is the ethical principle that focuses on doing good and acting in the best interest of the patient. It involves taking actions that promote the well-being of patients and prevent harm. In the context of seclusion, beneficence guides the nurse to consider whether secluding the patient will prevent harm to the patient and others, thereby promoting overall safety and well-being.

Choice D: Veracity

Veracity refers to the principle of truth-telling and honesty. It involves providing accurate and truthful information to patients. While veracity is crucial in building trust between healthcare providers and patients, it does not directly relate to the decision of whether to use seclusion for managing disruptive behavior.

A. Malpractice B. Battery C. False imprisonment D. Assault

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The potential issue that the nursing staff and hospital may have to defend against in this scenario is A. "malpractice."

Explanation: Malpractice refers to a legal claim that can be made against healthcare professionals, including nurses and hospitals, when they fail to provide the standard of care expected in their profession, resulting in harm or injury to a patient. In this case, the lack of documentation that the client was assessed every hour as prescribed can be seen as a failure to meet the standard of care for a client with depression, especially one at risk for self-harm or suicide. If the client attempted suicide in the bathroom and sustained an injury, it could be argued that the lack of proper assessment and monitoring contributed to the client's harm, and this failure to provide appropriate care might be considered malpractice.

The other options, "battery," "false imprisonment," and "assault," do not directly relate to the situation described in the scenario:

B- Battery refers to the intentional harmful or offensive contact with a person without their consent. There is no indication that this occurred in the scenario.

C- False imprisonment refers to the unlawful restraint or restriction of a person's freedom of movement without proper justification. There is no indication of false imprisonment in the scenario.

D- Assault refers to the intentional act of threatening or causing fear of harm to another person. While the client did sustain an injury, there is no indication that it was due to an intentional act of assault in this scenario.

In summary, the potential issue of malpractice arises from the failure to properly assess and monitor a client at risk for self-harm, resulting in harm to the client. The nursing staff and hospital may have to defend against this claim if it is determined that they did not meet the standard of care expected in such a situation.

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A nurse observes another nurse acting flirtatiously and bringing small gifts, such as candy, to a client in the behavioral health unit. Which action is a priority by the observing nurse?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is questioning another nurse about whether it is ethical to seclude a client because of loud and intrusive behavior on the unit. Which is the ethical principle that will best guide the nurse's decision on the appropriate use of seclusion?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client with depression is found to have attempted suicide in the bathroom and sustained injury. There is no documentation that the client was assessed every hour as prescribed. Which issue will the nursing staff and hospital potentially have to defend against?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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