What should a nurse do when a client elopes while other clients are being supervised?

In a situation where a client elopes while other clients are being supervised, the priority is to ensure the safety of all clients while addressing the issue of the eloped client. Having one nursing assistant (NA) trail the client who has eloped while the registered nurse (RN) and the other NA return the remaining clients to the unit is the most effective approach.

This strategy allows for immediate attention to the eloped client, which is critical to ensure their safety and prevent them from wandering into potentially harmful situations. Meanwhile, the remaining clients are returned to the unit under the supervision of the RN and the second NA, ensuring that they are not left unattended or placed in a situation where their safety might be compromised.

Balancing the responsibilities of supervision for the group of clients while also addressing the urgent need to locate and assist the eloped client is key. By implementing this plan, the team maintains a controlled environment for those still in the unit while responding promptly to the eloped client’s needs.

Other approaches may result in delaying the response to the eloping client, not properly supervising the remaining clients, or unnecessarily complicating the situation by sending multiple personnel away from the unit.