A registered nurse in the United States is caring for a patient who becomes physically aggressive and threatens to strike staff. Verbal de-escalation has failed. Which action is most appropriate?

Correct answer: B. Use the least restrictive intervention that protects everyone

  • A. Apply restraints without assessing the immediate danger
  • B. Use the least restrictive intervention that protects everyone
  • C. Ask the family to hold the patient's arms in bed
  • D. Leave the patient alone until the behavior stops

Explanation

Restraints may be used only when necessary to prevent harm and after less restrictive measures are ineffective, following facility policy and legal requirements. The nurse continues assessment, obtains the required order, and monitors the patient. Family members should not be used as substitutes for authorized staff.

Submitted by a TestUstad contributor and published by the TestUstad editorial teamLast updated
Report an error

The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.

Prefer email? support@testustad.com

About US Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice

US nursing law and ethics include state nurse practice acts, scope of practice, standards of care, negligence, malpractice, documentation, confidentiality under HIPAA and informed consent. Ethical reasoning applies autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice and fidelity to conflicts such as refusal of treatment, advance directives, privacy breaches and mandatory reporting, which are not the same as legal liability.

Practise US Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice

50 free US Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice MCQs from International Nursing Practice, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Discussion

Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.

No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.

Exams that ask International Nursing Practice questions like this

International Nursing Practice is on this paper prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for it.

More US Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice questions