Question

In caring for a patient in an emergency room setting, a patient has indicated to the nurse he wishes to leave AMA. The nurse is aware the patient will be at a significant health risk by leaving the facility. The nurse then prepares to administer PRN sedative medication the patient has not requested along with his usually medication. Which of the following types of tort is the nurse about to commit?

1. Negligence
2. Assault
3. False Imprisonment
4. Breach of confidentiality

Answer 1

3. False Imprisonment. The nurse is about to commit false imprisonment by preparing to administer PRN sedative medication without the patient's request.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse is about to commit false imprisonment by preparing to administer PRN sedative medication without the patient's request. False imprisonment occurs when a person is unlawfully restrained or confined against their will. In this scenario, the nurse is intending to restrict the patient's freedom to leave the facility by sedating them, which is a violation of their rights.

It is important for healthcare professionals to respect patient autonomy and obtain informed consent for any medical interventions. If the patient wishes to leave against medical advice, the nurse should assess the patient's capacity to make decisions, provide education on the potential risks, and document the patient's decision. However, forcing sedation on the patient without their consent is a breach of their autonomy and can be considered false imprisonment.