Saunders NCLEX RN Practice Questions Related

Review Saunders NCLEX RN Practice Questions related questions and content

A client is refusing to undergo any more treatments in the hospital and wants to leave against medical advice. When the nurse requests the client to sign an AMA order, the client refuses and leaves. What is the next action of the nurse?

  • A. Call security to hold the client until he signs the order
  • B. Notify the physician to convince the client to stay
  • C. Speak with the client's spouse to persuade him to stay
  • D. Allow the client to leave and document the refusal in his chart
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The nurse cannot force the client to stay in the hospital to receive treatment or to sign an AMA order. It is essential to respect the client's autonomy and decision-making capacity. While involving security or pressuring the client through the physician or spouse may seem like options, they are not appropriate in this situation. The nurse should allow the client to leave if they are competent to make that decision, document the refusal in the client's chart to ensure all actions are appropriately documented, and follow institutional policies for patients leaving against medical advice.