Question

A nurse on a mental health unit is caring for a client who tells the nurse that she does not want to receive a scheduled dose of lorazepam IM. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Administer the medication against the client's wishes
B) Document the client's refusal in the medical record
C) Convince the client to take the medication
D) Withhold the medication and notify the provider

Answer 1

The nurse should withhold the medication and notify the provider when a client refuses to receive it.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct action for the nurse to take when a client refuses to receive a scheduled dose of lorazepam IM is to withhold the medication and notify the provider. It is important to respect the client's autonomy and right to refuse treatment. By documenting the client's refusal in the medical record, the nurse ensures that the refusal is properly documented for legal and continuity of care purposes.