The nurse calls security and has physical restraints applied to a client who was admitted voluntarily when the client becomes verbally abusive, demanding to be discharged from the hospital. Which represents the possible legal ramifications for the nurse associated with these interventions?

Choice A reason:
Cognitive therapy focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors through structured sessions with a therapist. While it is an effective treatment for many mental health conditions, it does not involve the structured daily routines described in the scenario. Cognitive therapy is typically conducted in individual or group sessions rather than through the daily activities of an inpatient unit.

Choice B reason:
Milieu therapy involves creating a therapeutic environment that supports the client’s recovery through structured daily routines and interactions with staff and peers. The emphasis on getting up at a certain time, attending meals, and taking medications on schedule is characteristic of milieu therapy. This approach helps clients develop healthy habits, social skills, and a sense of responsibility.

Choice C reason:
Family therapy involves working with the client and their family members to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and support the client’s recovery. While family therapy is an important component of comprehensive mental health care, it does not involve the structured daily routines described in the scenario. Family therapy sessions are typically scheduled separately from the client’s daily activities.

Choice D reason:
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment that involves inducing controlled seizures to alleviate severe psychiatric symptoms. ECT is typically administered in a hospital setting under anesthesia and is not related to the structured daily routines described in the scenario. It is used for specific conditions, such as severe depression or treatment-resistant schizophrenia, and is not a form of therapy that involves daily activities.

Choice A reason:
While assisting the staff in caring for the client in a controlled environment is important, the immediate priority is to ensure safety. This choice does not directly address the immediate need to protect all clients from potential harm.

Choice B reason:
Providing safety for the client and other clients on the unit is the immediate priority. The client’s aggressive behavior poses a risk to themselves and others, and ensuring safety is the first step in managing the situation. This involves de-escalation techniques and possibly removing the client from the group setting to prevent harm.

Choice C reason:
Providing a sense of comfort and safety is important but secondary to ensuring immediate physical safety. The client’s aggressive behavior needs to be managed first to prevent any potential harm.

Choice D reason:
Offering the client a less stimulated area to calm down is a good strategy for de-escalation, but it comes after ensuring the immediate safety of all clients. The primary concern is to prevent any aggressive actions that could harm others.