A 43-year-old patient who has sustained an accidental laceration to the forearm is brought to the Emergency Department by family
It is determined that the laceration will need repair with sutures, but the patient refuses treatment saying, "I'll just pull it together with some tape when I get home." What action should be taken by the nurse? 1. Insist that the patient have the suture repair.
2. Tell the patient that the family will have to make that decision.
3. Have the patient sign a refusal of treatment form.
4. Tell the patient that it is a violation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of 1986 to allow a patient to leave without treatment.
3
Explanation: 1. Medical personnel cannot insist that a competent adult patient receive care.
2. The patient makes this decision.
3. The nurse should have the patient sign this document as a part of the record of the visit.
4. This Act was passed to prevent the hospital from refusing to treat patients without insurance and to prevent hospitals from "dumping" these patients in other Emergency Departments.
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