Case Scenarios
The following case scenarios are adapted with permission from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), Boundaries and Sexual Abuse Case Studies (2018). These case scenarios show the judgement involved in maintaining appropriate boundaries with patients. The cases can be used as a teaching tool for nursing students, nurses and others involved in the profession.
Boundary Crossings and Violations
Scenario 1 – Personal needs and interests
Scenario 2 – Oversharing personal information
Scenario 3 – Accepting gifts
Scenario 4 – Risk management
Scenario 5 - Rural practice and scarcity
Sexual Abuse and Duty to Report
Scenario 6 - Incompetent practice
Scenario 7 – Legal versus professional and ethical obligations
Scenario 8 – Sexualized comments
Sexual Abuse
Scenario 9 – Professionalism and language
Scenario 10 – Consent and boundary violation
Scenario 11 – Colleague’s duty to report
Scenario 12 - Determining if a nurse-patient relationship exists (1)
Scenario 13 - Determining if a nurse-patient relationship exists (2)
