The Tarasoff duty to warn applies in which scenario?

• A. A patient communicates an intent to harm a specific third party
• B. A patient misses an appointment
• C. A patient asks for confidentiality
• D. A patient refuses treatment

Answer: (A)

Tarasoff duty to warn is activated when a patient makes a credible threat of serious harm to an identifiable victim. In this scenario, the patient explicitly states an intent to harm a specific third party, creating a real risk to that person. The clinician must take steps to protect the potential victim, typically by warning them and, if needed, involving authorities or taking other protective actions. The other options don’t involve a credible, targeted threat to a named individual, so they don’t trigger Tarasoff duties: missing an appointment is a scheduling/continuity issue, asking for confidentiality concerns privacy, and refusing treatment relates to autonomy and engagement rather than danger to others.