A patient refuses to have his blood drawn for a routine laboratory test request made by his physician. What is the most appropriate course of action?

When a patient refuses to have their blood drawn, it is essential to respect their autonomy and rights as a patient. The most appropriate course of action is to refrain from performing the venipuncture since any medical procedure performed against a patient's will can lead to ethical and legal issues, including potential assault or battery charges.

Notifying a supervisor is crucial as it keeps the medical staff informed and allows for appropriate follow-up or alternative actions to be considered. Proper documentation of the incident serves multiple purposes. It creates a record of the patient's refusal, which can be essential for legal and medical reasons, and it ensures that all actions taken are transparent and accounted for.

In contrast, performing the procedure against the patient's will violates foundational principles of patient consent and autonomy. Sedating the patient to perform the test without their consent also raises serious ethical concerns. Seeking help from security is not appropriate in a situation where the patient is not a danger to themselves or others; this might escalate the situation unnecessarily. Thus, the respectful and ethical treatment of the patient's wishes by not proceeding with the venipuncture and appropriately documenting the refusal is the best course of action.