A hospital nurse noticed her elderly patient becoming increasingly aggressive toward staff and other patients. One day, the patient attempted to strike the nurse with a heavy object. In response, the nurse quickly restrained the patient by holding their arms until a physician arrived. The patient has now filed a claim for battery against the nurse. Does the nurse have a viable defense to the battery claim?
Yes, the nurse can raise the privilege to protect herself and others from imminent harm.
Yes, the nurse can argue that the patient implicitly consented to physical contact by being in a healthcare setting.
No, the battery claim is valid because the nurse's actions were not a form of parental discipline.
No, the nurse's actions do not fall under the privilege for protecting property interests.
The nurse can successfully defend against the battery claim by asserting the privilege to protect herself and others from harm. This defense applies when an individual reasonably believes it is necessary to act to prevent imminent harm. Here, the patient's aggressive behavior and immediate attempt to strike the nurse justify the restraint as a necessary protective measure.
Other answers are incorrect because parental discipline is irrelevant since there is no parent-child relationship, consent is invalid as the patient did not grant or imply permission, and protection of property concerns safeguarding physical items, not individuals.
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Why is parental discipline not relevant in this case?