Tarasoff duty requires clinicians to take which action when there is a credible threat?

• A. Do nothing
• B. Notify only the patient's family
• C. Maintain confidentiality regardless of threat
• D. Warn or protect third parties

Answer: (D)

When a patient makes a credible threat against a specific, identifiable person, clinicians have a responsibility to take action to prevent harm. This is the Tarasoff duty, which establishes that protecting potential victims can override the obligation to maintain patient confidentiality. The goal is safety: warn the person who is threatened, notify authorities, and take steps to ensure the patient is treated or supervised to reduce risk.

This approach is taken when the threat is credible and specific enough that harm could reasonably occur. It’s not about breaking confidentiality for vague concerns or for every remark a patient makes; it’s about concrete risk to identifiable individuals and taking reasonable steps to avert harm.

So the correct action is to warn or protect third parties. Doing nothing, notifying only the family, or maintaining confidentiality regardless of threat would fail to address the immediate risk to the potential victim.