A patient tells his nurse during the initial assessment that he is angry with his girlfriend and plans to kill her with a gun as soon as he is released from the hospital. The nurse confirms that he does have a gun and ammunition. Which statement best describes the nurse's legal and ethical obligation?

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3. The right to privacy and confidentiality are very important aspects of care of the psychiatric-mental health patient. However, knowledge of a threat against a person's life is an exception to any confidentiality law and must be reported to avert danger to others. Privilege is a legal term and is only recognized in nurse-patient communications in a small number of states and would not apply in this case.

A Patient Tells His Nurse During the Initial Assessment That