If a client makes a credible threat against another person's safety, what action must the nurse take?

The appropriate action in the case where a client makes a credible threat against another person's safety is to initiate the process to warn the individual who is being threatened. This action is based on the ethical and legal duty to protect potential victims when there is a clear and present danger to their safety.

When a credible threat is made, there is a strong responsibility to prevent harm, which may involve breaking confidentiality. This principle is often guided by legal precedents such as the Tarasoff ruling, which emphasizes the importance of notifying potential victims when there is a significant risk of harm. The nurse must assess the seriousness of the threat and take necessary steps to ensure the safety of the threatened individual, including notifying law enforcement or relevant authorities if required.

Maintaining confidentiality is an important ethical consideration in nursing practice; however, when it conflicts with the immediate need to protect someone's safety, the nurse must prioritize the duty to warn. Informing the client of their rights and documenting the statement are important actions in therapeutic settings, but they do not address the urgent need to prevent harm. Therefore, the key response in this situation is to act swiftly to protect the individual at risk.