Management of CareQuestion 679 of 2368
On an inpatient unit, at what point does a nurse typically take on a legal duty to a client?
- When the client first signs the consent form for admission to the unit
- When the nurse accepts a handoff report and responsibility for the client
- When the client is discharged and leaves the unit with their belongings
- When the nurse first sees the client's name on the assignment board
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Correct answer: When the nurse accepts a handoff report and responsibility for the client
Duty is created when the nurse accepts responsibility for a client, which usually occurs on accepting handoff report.
Source: Nursing Management and Professional Concepts, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Legal Implications: Duty. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Management of Care"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026