A 43-year-old patient who has sustained an accidental laceration to the forearm is brought to the Emergency Department by family. It is determined that the laceration will need repair with sutures, but the patient refuses treatment saying, "I'll just pull it together with some tape when I get home." What action should be taken by the nurse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

1. Medical personnel cannot insist that a competent adult patient receive care.
2. The patient makes this decision.
3. The nurse should have the patient sign this document as a part of the record of the visit.
4. This Act was passed to prevent the hospital from refusing to treat patients without insurance and to prevent hospitals from "dumping" these patients in other Emergency Departments.

A 43-Year-Old Patient Who Has Sustained an Accidental Laceration to the Forearm