Question

Which is an example of an unintentional tort?

1) Nurses discuss a client's laboratory values in the elevator.
2) A nurse tells a client that the client cannot leave the hospital until the client pays the bill.
3) A nurse threatens to restrain a client if the client does not stop talking.
4) A nurse gives the client a medication, and the client has an adverse reaction to it.

Answer 1

Option 1, where nurses discuss a client's laboratory values in the elevator, is an example of an unintentional tort, as it represents a negligent breach of patient confidentiality.

Step-by-step explanation:

An unintentional tort is a type of tort that arises from a breach of duty not to cause harm inadvertently through negligence or carelessness rather than intentional actions or violation of contracts. Among the provided options, nurses discussing a client's laboratory values in the elevator is an example of an unintentional tort. This is because the nurses may unintentionally breach the duty of confidentiality by discussing private patient information in a public place, potentially causing harm to the client's privacy without the intent to do so.