Informed Consent Case Study

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Module 4: Legal
Clients receiving psychiatric nursing care have basic rights (informed consent, confidentiality and right to privacy, right least restrictive treatment, right to refuse medication). Explain each briefly (one paragraph), and comment on how you think each right could be easily jeopardized.
Informed Consent
Informed consent is obtained prior to treatment or a procedure. The client should be informed of all the details and possible outcomes. This will allow the individual to determine whether to proceed with the treatment or procedure. The nurse as an advocate should ensure the client fully understood the information presented and is competent enough to give consent. Moreover, the nurse should verify that the decision is made
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Clients should be provided with a privacy policy upon entering the health care facility. Even though, the records belong to the health care facility the information inside belongs to the clients. Therefore, consent should be given prior to releasing any client records. This right could be easily jeopardized if health care workers discuss client information in the hallway or an open area where the information can be heard by others.
Right to Least-Restrictive Treatment
During psychiatric therapy, the treatment of the illness should be based upon the severity. The health care personnel should first attempt the least restricted method. The health care provider may start with verbal rehabilitative techniques before initiating behavioral techniques and other methods. Difficulties arise when determining the least restrictive methods amongst chemical interventions, seclusion, and mechanical restraints. The client right can be jeopardized if the client is placed in mechanical restraints merely to avoid getting on a health care worker nerves.
Right to Refuse