Question

A female dialysis technician has been caring for a male patient for several months. The patient tells the dialysis technician that he is lonely and depressed. He asks the dialysis technician to go out to dinner with him. In addition to politely declining the patients invitation, which of these actions, if any, should the dialysis technician take?

-No further action is needed
-Recommend an over-the-counter mood stimulant, such as St.John's Wart
-Refer the patient to the social worker
-Share the patient's need for socialization with other patients.

Answer 1

The dialysis technician should maintain professional boundaries and refer the patient to a social worker for emotional support.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a male patient expresses feelings of loneliness and depression to a female dialysis technician, the technician, in addition to politely declining any personal invitations, should refer the patient to a social worker. It is crucial to maintain professional boundaries and to ensure the patient receives appropriate support. Recommending an over-the-counter mood stimulant is not within the dialysis technician's scope of practice, and sharing the patient's personal needs with other patients would be a violation of privacy.