The staff on an inpatient psychiatric unit is very busy and fall behind on periodic assessment of a severely depressed client. During the rounds, the client is discovered to have completed a suicide attempt in the bathroom. Which type of lawsuit could the client's family file?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clients or families can file malpractice lawsuits in any case of injury, loss, or death. Not all injury or harm to a client can be prevented, nor do all client injuries result from malpractice. The issues are whether or not the client's actions were predictable or foreseeable (and, therefore, preventable) and whether or not the nurse carried out appropriate assessment, interventions, and evaluation that met the standards of care. In the mental health setting, lawsuits most often are related to suicide and suicide attempts. Breach of duty and injury or damage are two of the four elements of malpractice.
Assault involves causing a person to fear being touched in an injurious way without consent.

The Staff on an Inpatient Psychiatric Unit Is Very Busy