What action might the College of Nurses take if a client reports that a nurse assaulted him during care?

The chosen answer is correct because the College of Nurses of Ontario has a mandate to protect the public and uphold the standards of the nursing profession. When a client reports an allegation of assault by a nurse, the College is required to initiate an investigation to gather facts and determine the validity of the claim. This process involves collecting information from all parties involved, reviewing evidence, and assessing whether the nurse's conduct complies with the nursing standards and legal requirements.

Investigating the allegation is essential for several reasons. It ensures that clients’ concerns are taken seriously and appropriately addressed, facilitates accountability within the profession, and helps maintain public trust in nursing practice. The investigation may also result in further actions based on the findings, which could include disciplinary measures against the nurse if the allegations are substantiated.

The other options, while they may reflect possible actions in specific contexts, do not directly represent the primary responsibility of the College in handling complaints. For example, while the College might advise a nurse's employer of the situation, reporting the nurse directly to the employer does not fulfill their responsibility to conduct a thorough investigation. Similarly, unilateral actions like requesting employment termination or referring the matter to law enforcement may be appropriate at different points in the process but are not the initial step the College would take