A nurse working in a psychiatric unit discovers that a client has disclosed intentions to harm a specific person outside the hospital. Balancing ethical principles, what is the nurse’s most appropriate action?

Choice A reason: Nurses have a duty to protect potential victims from harm. Breaking confidentiality is justified to warn the intended victim and involve the healthcare team, consistent with the Tarasoff duty to warn principle. Choice B reason: Warning the victim without involving the treatment team ignores the collaborative care process and may compromise safety planning. Choice C reason: Waiting to act places the potential victim at risk and disregards the ethical duty to prevent harm. Choice D reason: Maintaining confidentiality in this situation endangers others and violates the ethical principle of nonmaleficence.