A nurse suspects a client is developing opioid use disorder and reduces the client's dosage of pain medication by 50% without a prescription from the provider. The nurse checks on the client 1 hr later and sees the client sitting up in a chair. The client tells the nurse, "I am in too much pain to reach the nurse call button." The nurse is liable for which of the following legal violations?

Rationale: A. This option is correct because gross negligence occurs when a healthcare professional fails to follow the standard of care, resulting in harm or the potential for harm to a client. In this scenario, the nurse reduced the client’s prescribed pain medication without provider authorization, which is a deviation from the standard of care and directly caused unnecessary pain and risk to the client. The client’s inability to reach the call button demonstrates that the nurse’s action compromised the client’s safety. B. This option is incorrect because libel involves making false and defamatory statements in written form that damage someone’s reputation. The nurse’s actions did not involve written defamation. C. This option is incorrect because battery refers to the intentional and unauthorized physical contact with a client. While the nurse did intervene with medication, the issue here is withholding or altering prescribed medication, not unauthorized physical contact. D. This option is incorrect because false imprisonment involves restraining a client against their will. Although the client experienced pain and limited mobility, the nurse did not physically restrict the client’s movement.