A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a client who tells the nurse about their intentions to harm an ex-partner. Which of the following actions is a legal duty of the nurse?

Keep the client hospitalized until there no longer a threat

Ensure the client's ex-partner is notified of the threat

Ask a friend or family member to monitor the client

Transfer the client to a mental health facility

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Keep the client hospitalized until there is no longer a threat

Nurses do not have the authority to unilaterally detain clients in a hospital. This decision is typically made by a physician or a legal authority, especially in the context of a medical-surgical unit where mental health professionals may need to be involved. Keeping a client hospitalized without proper legal procedures and mental health evaluation could lead to legal repercussions for unlawful detainment.

B. Ensure the client's ex-partner is notified of the threat

This option involves notifying the potential victim about the threat made by the client. While it's important to ensure the safety of others, the nurse's legal duty primarily lies with protecting the confidentiality of the client's information. Without consent from the client or a legal obligation, such as mandatory reporting laws for imminent harm, the nurse cannot disclose the threat to the ex-partner.

C. Ask a friend or family member to monitor the client

While involving family or friends might provide support, it is not a sufficient or appropriate response to a threat of harm. It does not address the immediate risk posed to the ex-partner and may not comply with legal obligations.

D. Transfer the client to a mental health facility

Transferring the client to a mental health facility for further evaluation and treatment might be necessary, but it must be done through appropriate medical and legal channels. It addresses the need for a thorough mental health assessment and ensures that the client receives the necessary care.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. The client states that he has developed sudden hearing loss: This could potentially be an example of somatization, where psychological distress is expressed through physical symptoms. However, sudden hearing loss alone might not specifically indicate regression.

B. The client states that his partner will not visit because they are too busy with their job: This statement does not directly suggest regression. It appears to be an explanation or justification for the partner's behavior.

C. The client yells obscenities at the nurse: Yelling obscenities could indicate frustration or anger, but it does not necessarily suggest regression. It could be a response to the current situation rather than a regressive behavior.

D. The client stomps his feet and throws objects off the bedside table: This behavior could indicate regression. Stomping feet and throwing objects are more characteristic of childish or immature behavior, which suggests a regression to an earlier stage of emotional development.

A. Document the client's behavior once every hour. B. Keep the client in restraints until the prescription expires. C. Conduct a debriefing regarding the client with the unit staff D. Request an evaluation of the client within 12 hr of application of restraints

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Documentation should occur every 15-30 minutes to ensure the client's safety and to assess the need for continuing or removing the restraints.

B. Keep the client in restraints until the prescription expires: Restraints should be used for the shortest duration necessary to ensure the safety of the client and others. Keeping the client restrained until the prescription expires without reevaluation may not align with best practices for restraint use.

C. Conducting a debriefing with the unit staff is crucial to evaluate the situation, discuss the events leading up to the use of restraints, and develop strategies to prevent the need for future restraint use. This helps ensure the safety and well-being of the client and others, as well as improve care practices.

D.Typically, the evaluation should occur within 1-4 hours depending on the facility's policy and the urgency of the situation.

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A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a client who tells the nurse about their intentions to harm an ex-partner. Which of the following actions is a legal duty of the nurse?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is aggressive toward other clients and has been placed in wrist restraints. After obtaining a prescription for restraints from the provider, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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