Question

Nurses may commit both intentional and unintentional torts when practicing within the profession. What intentional torts may occur in nursing practice? Select all that apply.

A. A nurse forgets to put the side rails up on a crib and the toddler falls out.
B. A nurse does not report a change in client condition in a timely manner.
C. A nurse threatens to hit an older client who has dementia and is screaming.
D. A nurse seeks employment in a hospital after falsifying credentials on a resume.
E. A nurse places a client who is a fall risk in restraints without an order from the health care provider.
F. A nurse makes disparaging remarks to the staff about a client who has a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Answer 1

Intentional torts that may occur in nursing practice include assault and battery, false imprisonment, and defamation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Intentional torts are deliberate wrongful acts that are committed with the intention of causing harm. In nursing practice, there are several intentional torts that may occur:

1. Assault and Battery: A nurse threatens to hit an older client who has dementia and is screaming. This is an example of assault, which is the act of intentionally causing fear of harmful or offensive contact, and battery, which is the actual harmful or offensive contact.
2. False Imprisonment: A nurse places a client who is a fall risk in restraints without an order from the healthcare provider. This is an example of false imprisonment, which is the intentional confinement or restraint of a person without lawful justification.
3. Defamation: A nurse makes disparaging remarks to the staff about a client who has a sexually transmitted infection (STI). This is an example of defamation, which is the act of making false statements about a person that harm their reputation.