A 22-year-old voluntary client has been manipulative of staff and disruptive in the milieu. Although the client is not a danger to themselves or others, the client has created challenges for other clients on the unit and is clearly not making progress. The nurse offers prescribed medication, but the client consistently refuses. The staff realizes that legally this client can:

Choice A reason: Silence allows the client to process trauma at their own pace, creating a safe, non-pressurized environment. Fearful clients may need time to feel secure before speaking. This technique fosters trust, encourages emotional expression, and is particularly effective in trauma, where verbalization can be challenging due to psychological distress.

Choice B reason: Giving information provides facts but may overwhelm a fearful client, who may not be ready to process details post-trauma. This technique is less effective for engagement, as it does not address emotional barriers or encourage self-expression, which are critical for therapeutic interaction in trauma recovery.

Choice C reason: Focusing directs the conversation to specific topics, which can feel intrusive for a traumatized client. It assumes readiness to discuss, potentially increasing anxiety or withdrawal. This technique is less effective than silence, which allows the client to initiate dialogue when emotionally prepared, fostering trust.

Choice D reason: Broad opening encourages the client to choose topics but may be too vague for a fearful, traumatized client, who may feel overwhelmed by the lack of structure. Silence is more effective, as it provides space for emotional processing without pressuring the client to verbalize prematurely.

Choice A reason: Assault involves threatening harm, not applicable here, as the issue is failure to document assessments, not intentional threats by staff. The client’s self-harm resulted from inadequate monitoring, not a staff-initiated threat, making assault an incorrect legal issue in this scenario.

Choice B reason: Battery involves unauthorized physical contact, not relevant to failure to document assessments. The client’s self-harm stemmed from inadequate observation, not staff-inflicted harm, making battery an inappropriate legal claim compared to negligence in monitoring and documentation.

Choice C reason: Suicide risk is a clinical concern, not a legal issue to defend against. While the client’s self-harm indicates risk, the hospital’s liability arises from failure to follow monitoring protocols, not the risk itself, making this option incorrect for the legal defense context.

Choice D reason: Malpractice involves negligence, such as failing to document hourly assessments for a high-risk client, leading to harm. This breach of standard care (1:1 observation) allowed self-harm, making the hospital liable for not adhering to protocols, requiring defense against malpractice for inadequate monitoring and documentation.