Exam 4: Ethical and Legal Issues

In response to a student's question regarding choosing a psychiatric specialty,a charge nurse states,"Mentally ill clients need special care.If I were in that position,I'd want a caring nurse also." From which ethical framework is the charge nurse operating?

An involuntarily committed client is verbally abusive to the staff and repeatedly threatening to sue.The client records the full names and phone numbers of the staff.Which nursing action is most appropriate to decrease the possibility of a lawsuit?

An inpatient psychiatric physician refuses to treat clients without insurance and prematurely discharges those whose insurance benefits have expired.Which violation of an ethical principle should a nurse recognize in this situation?

A client diagnosed with schizophrenia refuses to take medication,citing the right of autonomy.Under which circumstance would a nurse have the right to medicate the client against the client's wishes?

Which situation contradicts the ethical principle of veracity?

Which is an example of an intentional tort?

Which is an accurate description of a common law?

What is the legal significance of a nurse's action when a nurse threatens a demanding client with restraints?

A geriatric client is confused and wandering in and out of every door.Which scenario reflects the least restrictive alternative for this client?

A brother calls to speak to his sister who has been admitted to the psychiatric unit.The nurse connects him to the community phone and the sister is summoned.Later the nurse realizes that the brother was not on the client's approved call list.What law has the nurse broken?

An inpatient client,whom the treatment team has determined to be a danger to self,gives notice of intention to leave the hospital.What information should the nurse recognize as having an impact on the treatment team's next action?

Which client should a nurse identify as a potential candidate for involuntarily commitment?

During a hiring interview,which response by a nursing applicant should indicate that the applicant operates from an ethical egoism framework?

A psychiatric nurse working on an inpatient unit receives a call asking if an individual has been a client in the facility.Which nursing response reflects appropriate legal and ethical obligations?

A client who will be receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)must provide informed consent.Which situation should cause a nurse to question the validity of the informed consent?

Without authorization,a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to an agitated client.The nurse's coworker observes this action but does nothing for fear of repercussion.What is the ethical interpretation of the coworker's lack of involvement?

There is one bed available on an inpatient psychiatric unit.For which client should a nurse advocate emergency commitment?

A nursing instructor is presenting content on the provisions of the Nurse Practice Act as it relates to their state.Which student statement indicates a need for further instruction?

Which situation exemplifies both assault and battery?

A client requests information on several medications in order to make an informed choice about management of depression.A nurse should provide this information to facilitate which ethical principle?