If a competent adult wishes to leave against medical advice, what is your next step?

When a competent adult decides to leave against medical advice, the most appropriate next step is to provide them with information about the potential risks associated with their decision. This is critical because it allows the patient to make a fully informed choice regarding their own health care. By communicating these risks effectively, you ensure that the patient understands the potential consequences of refusing treatment or leaving the medical situation prematurely.

Informed consent is a foundational principle in health care, which includes the right of patients to make decisions about their care. If they are competent, they have the legal right to refuse medical treatment, but it's the responsibility of the healthcare provider to make sure they are aware of the ramifications of that decision. This approach not only fulfills ethical obligations but also protects the healthcare provider from potential liability by showing that the patient was advised of any dangers involved in their decision.

While documenting the refusal, contacting base, or restricting movement may be relevant actions in other scenarios, they do not address the immediate need to ensure that the patient is fully educated about the implications of their choice. Without emphasizing the importance of understanding risks, the patient may leave without having considered critical information that could impact their health.