A nurse is preparing to administer several medications via an NG tube to a client who is receiving a continuous tube feeding. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. An assistive personnel prevents a client from leaving the facility:

This situation may raise ethical concerns related to patient autonomy and freedom of movement. However, it is not a clear example of negligence. Negligence is more directly related to the provision of care and the failure to meet the standard of care.

B. An assistive personnel discusses client care in the facility cafeteria with visitors present:

This situation involves a breach of confidentiality and may violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). However, it is not an example of negligence. Negligence typically involves a failure to provide appropriate care rather than a breach of privacy.

C. A nurse administers a medication without first identifying the client:

This is an example of negligence. Negligence refers to the failure to provide the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have provided under similar circumstances. In this case, administering medication without first identifying the client is a breach of the standard of care, and it can lead to serious consequences, including harm to the patient.

D. A nurse begins a blood transfusion without obtaining consent from a client:

This is an example of a legal issue related to lack of informed consent. While it raises ethical and legal concerns, it may not necessarily be considered negligence, which is more related to a failure in providing care up to the standard. However, it is still a serious violation of ethical and legal principles.

A. Assault:

Assault occurs when one person intentionally threatens or causes another person to fear that they will be touched without their consent. In this situation, the nurse is threatening to administer medication by injection (an unwanted touch) as a consequence for not swallowing pills.

B. Invasion of privacy:

Invasion of privacy involves the unauthorized intrusion into an individual's personal matters. The nurse's statement does not relate to invading the client's privacy; it involves a threat related to the administration of medication.

C. Defamation:

Defamation involves making false statements that harm the reputation of another person. The nurse's statement is not making false statements about the client but rather threatening a specific action if a behavior is not followed.

D. Battery:

Battery occurs when there is intentional physical contact with another person without their consent. While the nurse's statement involves the administration of medication, the threat itself is considered assault. If the threat is carried out, and the medication is administered against the client's will, it would then be considered battery.