An appreciative client offers the nurse a box of chocolates. The nurse

QUESTION

An appreciative client offers the nurse a box of chocolates. The nurse should

a. accept all gifts offered by the client.
b. refuse to accept the chocolates in a gentle, tactful manner.
c. accept or refuse based on the uniqueness of the relationship.
d. accept the gift but also remind the client of intangible gifts.

ANSWER:

ANS: C
In general, nurses should not accept money, or gifts of significant material value. There is no one answer about whether gifts should or should not be exchanged. In fact, if the nurse handled every situation in the same fashion, the nurse would be denying the uniqueness of each nurse-client relationship. Each relationship has its own character and its own strengths and limitations, so what might be appropriate in one situation would be totally inappropriate in another. Token gifts such as chocolates or flowers may be acceptable. In general, nurses should not accept money or gifts of significant material value. Some agencies have policies regarding accepting gifts; others do not. Accept or refuse based on the uniqueness of the situation.