The emergency department nurse is obligated to make a report for which situations? Select all that apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

There are several circumstances in which the nurse is legally required to report to appropriate civil authorities: Suspected elder abuse must be reported to the appropriate authorities for investigation. The nurse has a legal obligation to report signs of abuse regardless of clients' ability or willingness to advocate for themselves (Option B). The nurse should report deaths that meet medical examiner reporting guidelines (eg, suspected to be the result of a crime, trauma, or suicide) to the authorities for investigation. The local medical examiner has the legal authority and obligation to perform an autopsy independent of the family's wishes (Option C). For the sake of client safety, nurses should immediately report impaired or intoxicated health care workers, regardless of their position (Option E). Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a client's reason for an emergency department visit cannot be communicated to employers without the client's permission (Option A). Health authorities must be notified of a reportable sexually transmitted disease regardless of client wishes. Depending on the condition, authorities may report findings to sexual contacts, but it is a violation of client privacy for the nurse to share this information with the client's family or spouse (Option D). Educational objective: The nurse is required to report an impaired coworker, a suspicious death, and elder abuse to appropriate authorities. The nurse is legally prohibited from sharing health information with employers or family members without the client's permission.

The Emergency Department Nurse Is Obligated to Make a Report