Legal

Question 1

The nurse leads an in-service education class on legal issues. The nurse identifies which of the following acts constitutes battery?

1. The nurse restrains an agitated, confused patient in the emergency room with a physician's order.
2. The nurse chases a patient who tries to run away while outside for a walk.
3. The nurse holds the arms of a manic patient who struck her while the nurse calls for assistance.
4. The nurse administers an injection to a schizophrenic patient who refuses to take the medication by mouth because he believes it is poison.

Answer 1

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Strategy: Determine the outcome of each answer choice.

(1) restraining a client to prevent injury to self or others is appropriate
(2) appropriate behavior
(3) restraining a client to prevent injury to self or others is appropriate
(4) correct—battery is harmful or offensive touching of another’s person; unless court ordered, clients have the right to refuse medication, even if client is psychotic