A client who was admitted voluntarily to the unit verbally refuses his medication. The nurse proceeds to give the medication over the client's objections. What is the legal significance of the nurse's actions?
1. The nurse could be charged with malpractice.
2. The nurse could be charged with negligence.
3. The nurse cannot be held liable.
4. The nurse could be charged with battery.
4
Rationale: Medication can be administered against the client's wishes only if there is a treatment order from a judge or the client is a danger to self or others. Malpractice refers to the negligent acts of health care professionals when they fail to act in a responsible and prudent manner. Negligence occurs when a nurse fails to act in a manner in which most reasonable and prudent people would act. The nurse is liable for her actions.
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