An ICU nurse has been caring for a difficult client. The nurse determines the client is suicidal and is threatening to leave. The nurse is unsure who to call. The nurse calls the police

Question

The police come to the hospital and inform the nurse not to call them in the future. What action should this nurse take? 1. Call the police when needed.
2. Discuss this situation with the client?s physician.
3. Discuss this with the supervisor and management.
4. Call the client?s family and discuss the incident.

Answer 1

3
Explanation: 1. The police have informed the nurse not to call in the future. The physician may provide orders
for medication, but the client is unstable and medication may lead to escalating behavior or
violence. The client?s family may or may not be of assistance and it is the organization?s
responsibility to address these types of situations. Discussing and reporting the incident to the
supervisor and manager allows for communication, addressing and changing policies when
necessary. This also allows for support and education for the staff to manage similar incidents
in the future.