Question

Prior to establishing a relationship with the patient, what must happen for the nurse to refuse an assignment and it not be considered "abandonment?"

Answer 1

A nurse can refuse an assignment without it being considered abandonment if this is done before establishing a patient-nurse relationship and if the refusal is based on concerns for safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before establishing a therapeutic relationship with a patient, a nurse can refuse an assignment if they have a valid reason for doing so, such as believing the task to be unsafe. For it not to be considered abandonment, the nurse must communicate concerns promptly and before engaging in patient care or establishing a nurse-patient relationship. It's essential that the nurse takes the necessary steps to ensure patient safety is not compromised, including speaking up during pre-procedure checklists, such as the 'time out' before a skin incision, where all team members confirm the plan for patient care.