If a discharged client expresses intentions to harm someone, what should the nurse do?

When a discharged client expresses intentions to harm someone, the priority is to ensure the safety of both the client and others. Preventing the client from leaving the facility allows for immediate assessment and intervention. The nurse must take such threats seriously and often requires further evaluation to determine the level of risk involved. By keeping the client in the facility, the nurse can engage other healthcare professionals, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, who can conduct a more thorough risk assessment and provide appropriate interventions. This action is essential for safeguarding potential victims and for managing the client's mental health needs.

While documentation and notifying the office, encouraging communication about feelings, and contacting law enforcement are important considerations in crisis situations, they may not provide the immediate protective measures needed in response to a direct threat. Immediate intervention, in this case, hinges on maintaining safety first and foremost.