This scenario was heartbreaking and very difficult to watch. It was also frustrating to hear that a ...

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This scenario was heartbreaking and very difficult to watch. It was also frustrating to hear that a minor is expected to have 600 dollars in funds to escape an already difficult situation. Nurses are often placed in complex positions where we have to balance building trust with our patients, all while abiding to legal regulations and laws. Building trust with minors can be especially difficult as adolescents are typically more vulnerable than adults. However, building trust does not necessarily mean keeping secrets for our patients. Before explaining the severity of the situation to the adolescent, nurses should make every effort to help adolescents express their own feelings and reactions about the situation (Butts p. 175, 2023).  Althea is in a difficult position where she must respect Jasmine’s autonomy but also must report her findings of sexual abuse.  Our textbook explains that building trust means being entirely honest and open about our role as mandated reporters from the very beginning, and providing consistency in our roles.