Which nursing intervention demonstrates false imprisonment?

Question

a. A confused and combative patient says, "I'm getting out of here and no one can stop me." The nurse restrains this patient without a health care provider's order and then promptly obtains an order.
b. A patient has been irritating and attention seeking much of the day. Now a nurse escorts the patient down the hall saying, "Stay in your room or you'll be put in seclusion."
c. An involuntarily hospitalized patient with suicidal ideation runs out of the psychiatric unit. The nurse rushes after the patient and convinces the patient to return to the unit.
d. An involuntarily hospitalized patient with homicidal ideation attempts to leave the facility. A nurse calls the security team and uses established protocols to prevent the patient from leaving.

Answer 1

B
False imprisonment involves holding a competent person against his or her will. Actual force is not a requirement of false imprisonment. The individual needs only to be placed in fear of imprisonment by someone who has the ability to carry out the threat. If a patient is not competent (confused), the nurse should act with beneficence. Patients admitted involuntarily should not be allowed to leave without permission of the treatment team.