A woman has called you to help her middle-aged friend, who has stopped eating and talking and has frequent crying spells. Your history reveals that the woman lost her husband a few months ago, and has been withdrawn and despondent ever since. Throughout the assessment, the alert and oriented woman continually states that she wants to be left alone. When you bring the stretcher into the room, the woman states, "I do not want to go to the hospital. Let me sign whatever I need to sign." What is your best response to this situation?

Question

A) Contact medical direction and ask for advice
B) Recheck mental status and orientation, and then have her sign a refusal-of-care form
C) Allow the patient to sign a refusal-of-care form as long as her friend stays with her
D) Contact law enforcement to restrain the patient for transport

Answer 1

A) Contact medical direction and ask for advice