What is the Tarasoff duty to warn, and how does it affect nursing practice?

• A. Duty to report only to family.
• B. Warn only with consent.
• C. Seal patient information.
• D. Duty to warn requires protective action when a patient poses a credible threat.

Answer: (D)

The Tarasoff duty to warn means that when a patient makes a credible threat against a specific person, the clinician must take protective actions to prevent harm. In nursing practice, this translates to assessing how real and imminent the threat is and, if it’s credible, taking steps such as warning the potential victim, notifying authorities, or arranging safety measures (which may include protective supervision or involuntary evaluation) in line with legal and facility policies, with thorough documentation. It isn’t about reporting only to family, it isn’t contingent on the patient’s consent, and it isn’t about sealing information. The focus is on taking necessary protective actions to keep someone from being harmed when a clear threat exists.