Question

In the situation presented, which nursing intervention constitutes false imprisonment?

A. The client is combative and will not redirect, stating, "No one can stop me from leaving." The nurse seeks the physician's order after the client is restrained.
B. The client has been consistently seeking the attention of the nurses much of the day. The nurse institutes seclusion.
C. A psychotic client, admitted in an involuntary status, runs off the psychiatric unit. The nurse runs after the client and the client agrees to return.
D. A client hospitalized as an involuntary admission attempts to leave the unit. The nurse calls the security team and they prevent the client from leaving.

Answer 1

The nursing intervention that constitutes false imprisonment is when the nurse institutes seclusion for a client who hasn't posed a threat to themselves or others.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nursing intervention that constitutes false imprisonment is option B: The client has been consistently seeking the attention of the nurses much of the day and the nurse institutes seclusion.

False imprisonment occurs when an individual is unlawfully confined against their will. In this case, the nurse is using seclusion as a means to control the client's behavior, even though the client has not posed a threat to themselves or others. Seclusion should only be used as a last resort when all other interventions have failed and there is an immediate danger.

On the other hand, in options A, C, and D, the interventions were appropriate and aimed at ensuring the safety of the clients. In option A, the nurse sought a physician's order to restrain a combative client. In option C, the nurse ran after a client who ran off the psychiatric unit and convinced the client to return. In option D, the nurse followed proper protocol by calling for security when an involuntary client attempted to leave the unit.