RN Exam Practice
Management of CareQuestion 897 of 2368

A client who requested voluntary admission to a psychiatric unit refuses a prescribed psychotropic medication. The client is calm and not a danger to self or others. What should the nurse do?

  1. Give the medication anyway because it was ordered by the provider
  2. Honor the refusal because the client has the right to refuse treatment
  3. Hide the medication in the client's juice so that it will be taken
  4. Tell the client that continued refusal will extend the length of the stay
Show answer

Correct answer: Honor the refusal because the client has the right to refuse treatment

Voluntary clients are considered competent and may refuse treatment, including psychotropic medications, unless they become a danger to themselves or others.

Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Mental Health Concepts: Admission for Care. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Management of Care"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026