A nurse is caring for a client who repeatedly refuses meals.
The nurse overhears an assistive personnel (AP) telling the client, “If you don’t eat, I’ll put restraints on your wrists and feed you.” The nurse should intervene and explain to the AP that this statement constitutes which of the following torts?

The correct answer is:

Choice C: Determine the medical needs of incoming clients through the emergency department.

Here's a breakdown of the rationale for each choice:

Choice A rationale: While calling in additional staff might be helpful in the long run, during the initial surge of patients in a mass casualty event, the Emergency Department (ED) will be the primary area receiving and triaging patients. The medical-surgical unit will likely receive overflow patients after initial stabilization in the ED.

Choice B rationale: This is not a primary responsibility for a nurse on a medical-surgical unit during a mass casualty event. Communication with the media is usually handled by designated public relations personnel.

Choice C rationale: This is the most crucial action for a nurse in this situation. Triaging patients based on the severity of their injuries and prioritizing care is essential in a mass casualty scenario. Nurses will be instrumental in assessing incoming patients relayed from the ED to determine their medical needs and allocate resources accordingly.

Choice D rationale: Discharging patients is not a priority during the initial influx of casualties. The focus is on receiving, stabilizing, and treating the most critically injured patients. Discharges would likely happen after the initial surge subsides.

The correct statements that indicate an understanding of discharge teaching for a client recovering from pancreatitis are:

✅ C. "I will eat small, frequent meals." This is recommended to reduce pancreatic stimulation and aid digestion.

✅ E. "I will notify my provider if my urine is dark." Dark urine may indicate worsening jaundice or liver involvement, which requires medical attention.

❌ A. "I will eat fish for dinner at least twice per week." While fish can be part of a healthy diet, the key dietary advice for pancreatitis is to eat low-fat meals. Fatty fish may not be appropriate unless specifically recommended.

❌ B. "I will limit my morning coffee to no more than two cups." Caffeine is not directly contraindicated, but the focus is more on avoiding alcohol and fatty foods. This statement doesn’t reflect core discharge teaching.

❌ D. "I should expect my bowel movements to be pale in color." Pale stools may indicate bile duct obstruction or liver dysfunction and should be reported, not expected.