An adolescent is hospitalized after a violent physical outburst and tells the nurse, "I'm going to kill my parents, but you can't tell them." Select the nurse's initial response.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Breach of nurse-patient confidentiality does not pose a legal dilemma for nurses in these circumstances, because a team approach to delivery of psychiatric care presumes communication of patient information to other staff members to develop treatment plans and outcome criteria. The patient should know that the team may have to warn the patient's parents of the risk for harm.

An Adolescent Is Hospitalized After a Violent Physical Outburst and Tells