Which action should the nurse take INITIALLY? A patient admitted voluntarily for the treatment of an anxiety disorder demands to be released from the hospital.

Contact the patient’s health care provider (HCP).

In general. patients seek. voluntary admission. Voluntary patients have the right to demand and obtain release. The nurse needs to be familiar with the state and facility policies and procedures. The best nursing action is to contact the HCP. who has the authority to discuss discharge with the patient.Option B: While arranging for safe transportation is appropriate it is premature in this situation and should be done only with the patients permission.Option C: While it is appropriate to discuss why the patient feels the need to leave and the possible outcomes of leaving against medical advice. attempting to get the patient to agree to stay a few more days has little value and will not likely be successful.Option D: Many states require that the patient submits a written release notice to the facility staff members. who reevaluate the patients condition for possible conversion to involuntary status if necessary. according to criteria established by law. While this is a possibility. it should not be used a a threat to the patient.