A patient comes to the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during a rape. The patient abruptly decides to decline treatment and return home. Before the patient leaves, the nurse should:

A) tell the patient, "You may not leave until you receive prophylactic treatment for sexually transmitted diseases."
B) provide written information concerning the physical and emotional reactions that may be experienced.
C) explain the need and importance of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing.
D) offer verbal information about legal resources.

Question

Jennifer Canlas · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B, Explanation :  All information given to a patient before he or she leaves the emergency department should be in writing. Patients who are anxious are unable to concentrate and therefore cannot retain much of what is verbally imparted. Written information can be read and referred to at later times. Patients cannot be kept against their will or coerced into receiving medication as a condition of being allowed to leave. This constitutes false imprisonment.

Definitions

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Related questions