Management of CareQuestion 882 of 2368
A nurse observes family members speaking to each other in a hostile, disrespectful manner. What is the nurse's best action?
- Wait for the family to resolve the conflict alone without involving other staff.
- Notify the provider and start a referral to a social worker or case manager.
- Document nothing, because conflict is normal in families during a hospital stay.
- Ask the family to leave the unit permanently and tell security about the incident.
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Correct answer: Notify the provider and start a referral to a social worker or case manager.
Hostile family communication calls for provider notification and referrals per agency policy.
Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Family Dynamics: Assessment (Recognize Cues). Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Management of Care"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026