What should a nurse do if a patient refuses medication?

When a patient refuses medication, the appropriate course of action is to respect the patient's choice and document the refusal. Patients have the right to make decisions about their own health care, including the right to refuse treatment. This autonomy is a fundamental principle of medical ethics and patient rights.

Respecting a patient's refusal involves several steps: first, it is essential to ensure that the patient fully understands the implications of refusing the medication, including potential consequences and alternatives. By documenting the refusal clearly in the patient's medical record, the healthcare team can ensure that there is a record of the patient's decision, which is important for ongoing care and communication between providers.

Taking no action or ignoring the refusal disregards the patient’s autonomy and might lead to negative health outcomes. Forcing a patient to take medication not only violates their rights but can also lead to distrust in the patient-provider relationship. Similarly, simply notifying the doctor without respecting the patient's choice does not address the core issue, as the patient's consent and autonomy are paramount in health care decisions.