A patient who is alert and oriented is threatening to leave the hospital against medical advice (AMA). The nurse should:

Question

a. forcibly detain and restrain the patient.
b. administer a sedative hypnotic medication.
c. prevent patient from leaving until an AMA form is signed.
d. notify the physician that the patient is threatening to leave AMA.

Answer 1

D
When a patient threatens to leave AMA, the physician should be notified immediately. If the physician fails to convince the patient to remain in the facility, the physician will ask the patient to sign an AMA form releasing the facility from legal responsibility for any medical problems the patient may experience after discharge. If the physician is not available, the nurse should discuss the discharge form with the patient and obtain the patient's signature. If the patient refuses to sign the AMA form, the patient should not be detained. This violates the patient's legal rights. After the patient leaves, the nurse should document the incident thoroughly in the nurses' notes and notify the physician. A rational adult patient who will not sign the AMA form cannot be forcibly detained.