Exam 3: Legal Issues

A nurse in a community mental health center receives a call asking for information about a patient. Under which condition can the nurse release information to the caller?

A patient's insurance will not pay for continuing hospitalization at a private facility, so the family considers transferring the patient to a public psychiatric hospital. They express concern that the patient will "never get any treatment." Select the nurse's most helpful reply.

A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is admitted involuntarily during a manic phase. Lithium 300 mg PO t.i.d. is prescribed. The patient refuses the morning dose. What are the nurse's best actions? Select all that apply.

A nurse at the mental health center prepares to administer a scheduled injection of haloperidol decanoate (Haldol depot injection) to a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia. As the nurse swabs the site, the patient shouts, "Stop, stop. I don't want to take that medicine anymore. I hate the side effects." Select the nurse's first action.

Which interventions apply to the care plan of a patient being secluded? Select all that apply.

An involuntarily admitted inpatient with paranoid schizophrenia repeatedly calls the local mayor. The patient verbally abuses the person who reply the phone as well as the mayor. Select the most appropriate initial nursing intervention.

An example of a breach of a patient's right to privacy occurred when a nurse:

A patient tells the nurse, "You better take good care of me or I'll sue you using the precedent established in Wyatt v. Stickney." The nurse can interpret this as:

A patient shouts, "I'm holding you responsible for mistreatment based on Rogers v. Orkin." The nurse can conclude that the patient is objecting to:

A patient diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia believes that evil spirits are being stirred by a local minister and verbally threatens to bomb a local church. The psychiatrist notifies the minister. What is the basis for this action?

A patient constantly interferes with activities on an inpatient unit. The nurse, speaking in a loud voice, tells the patient, "If you don't go to your room immediately, I will give you medication that will make you sleep." The nurse's behavior demonstrates:

A nurse finds a psychiatric advance directive in the medical record of a patient experiencing psychosis. The directive was executed during a period in which the patient was stable and competent. The nurse should:

A gravely disabled psychiatric patient has a guardian. What is the essential implication for nursing care?

A patient backs into a corner of the room and shouts at the nurse, "Stay away from me." Select the best initial nursing intervention in this situation.

To reduce the risk of a lawsuit based on false imprisonment, mental health nurses must give the highest priority to which intervention?

A patient who is admitted involuntarily with bipolar disorder, manic phase, refuses a prescribed dose of lithium. The nurse assembles a show of force and intimidates the patient into taking the medication. As an outcome of this action, the patient:

Which patient should be considered for involuntary commitment for psychiatric treatment?

A patient tells the nurse, "I still have suicidal thoughts, but don't tell anyone because I am supposed to be discharged today." Select the nurse's best course of action.

Which individual would be the most likely candidate to have a guardian appointed?

Which situation is an example of a tort?