The health care provider prescribes haloperidol 10 mg for a client with severe psychosis but the client refuses the medication. Which nursing action is appropriate?

Accept the client's decision and continue to maintain safety.

Obtain a discharge order for nonadherence to the medication regimen.

Restrain the client and give the medication intramuscularly.

Inform the client that refusing the medication means not getting any better.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Every individual has the right to refuse medical treatment, including medications, as long as they are competent to make that decision. It is essential to respect the client's autonomy and right to make decisions about their own health care. When a client refuses medication, the nurse should document the refusal, inform the healthcare provider, and explore the reasons behind the refusal if possible.

The other options are not appropriate for the following reasons:

B- Obtaining a discharge order for nonadherence: While it is essential to address nonadherence to medication, discharging the client solely for refusing the medication may not be the best course of action. Instead, the nurse should work collaboratively with the healthcare team to address the client's concerns and explore alternative treatment options.

C- Restraining the client and giving the medication intramuscularly: Restraints should only be used as a last resort when a client presents an imminent danger to themselves or others, and it must be done in accordance with facility policies and legal regulations. Using restraints to administer medication against a client's will is a violation of their rights and is not an appropriate response to medication refusal.

D-Informing the client that refusing the medication means not getting any better: This response may be seen as coercive and manipulative. It is not ethical to use fear or guilt to persuade a client to take medication against their will. Instead, the nurse should provide information about the potential benefits and risks of the medication and address the client's concerns or fears about the treatment. Ultimately, the decision to take the medication should be left to the client after they have been fully informed about their options.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

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.

A. I'm sorry you are sad. Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?" B. "Pipe don't cry. It will get better." C. "You look very sad. What is happening?" D. "know you are upset but things will look better tomorrow

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Option C demonstrates empathy and active listening. By acknowledging the client's emotions and expressing concern, the nurse creates a safe and supportive environment for the client to share their feelings. This response encourages the client to open up and express what they are going through, allowing the nurse to better understand the situation and provide appropriate care and support.

Options A and D are also empathetic but may not prompt the client to share their feelings or concerns as effectively as Option C.

Option B is not appropriate as it minimizes the client's emotions and may discourage them from expressing their feelings further.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The health care provider prescribes haloperidol 10 mg for a client with severe psychosis but the client refuses the medication. Which nursing action is appropriate?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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

The nurse approaches a client who looks very sad and is sitting alone crying. Which is the best response by the nurse in this situation?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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?

An angry client has just thrown a chair across the room and is racing to pick up another chair to throw. Which is the most appropriate action by the nurse?

The nurse working in an outpatient clinic is performing an intake assessment for a female client. Which priority question will the nurse ask the client as part of the initial assessment?

The school nurse is seeing a 7-year-old child in the clinic and is concerned with behaviors and physical indications that indicate the child is being sexually abused. Which is the priority action by the nurse?

A client who has been physically aggressive arrives at the emergency department for a psychiatric assessment. Which approach would be best for the nurse to use?

The nurse is working with another nurse in the emergency department (ED) when a client comes in stating they have been raped during a date. Which statement made by the other nurse privately requires immediate correction?

An alert, oriented older adult client has been financially and emotionally abused by their adult children for the past several years but has not reported the abuse to anyone. Which reason does the nurse identify is most likely why the client has not reported the abuse?

A young client tells the nurse that the client's spouse died 3 months ago, and the client is feeling alone and vulnerable. Which statement indicates that the client's coping skills are adequate?