Question 1

Which patient meets criteria for involuntary hospitalization for psychiatric treatment? The patient who

Accepted Answer

A)  is noncompliant with the treatment regimen. 
B)  fraudulently files for bankruptcy. 
C)  sold and distributed illegal drugs. 
D)  threatens to harm self and others. 
A)  is noncompliant with the treatment regimen. 
B)  fraudulently files for bankruptcy. 
C)  sold and distributed illegal drugs. 
D)  threatens to harm self and others.

Question 2

What is the legal significance of a nurse's action when a patient verbally refuses medication and the nurse gives the medication over the patient's objection? The nurse

Accepted Answer

A)  has been negligent. 
B)  committed malpractice. 
C)  fulfilled the standard of care. 
D)  can be charged with battery. 
A)  has been negligent. 
B)  committed malpractice. 
C)  fulfilled the standard of care. 
D)  can be charged with battery.

Question 3

A patient experiencing psychosis asks a psychiatric technician, "What's the matter with me?" The technician replies, "Nothing is wrong with you. You just need to use some self-control." The nurse who overheard the exchange should take action based on

Accepted Answer

A)  the technician's unauthorized disclosure of confidential clinical information. 
B)  violation of the patient's right to be treated with dignity and respect. 
C)  the nurse's obligation to report caregiver negligence. 
D)  the patient's right to social interaction. 
A)  the technician's unauthorized disclosure of confidential clinical information. 
B)  violation of the patient's right to be treated with dignity and respect. 
C)  the nurse's obligation to report caregiver negligence. 
D)  the patient's right to social interaction.

Question 4

A patient in alcohol rehabilitation reveals to the nurse, "I feel terrible guilt for sexually abusing my 6-year-old before I was admitted." Select the nurse's most important action.

Accepted Answer

A)  Anonymously report the abuse by phone to the local child protection agency. 
B)  Reply, "I'm glad you feel comfortable talking to me about it." 
C)  File a written report with the agency's ethics committee. 
D)  Respect nurse-patient relationship confidentiality. 
A)  Anonymously report the abuse by phone to the local child protection agency. 
B)  Reply, "I'm glad you feel comfortable talking to me about it." 
C)  File a written report with the agency's ethics committee. 
D)  Respect nurse-patient relationship confidentiality.

Question 5

An aide in a psychiatric hospital says to the nurse, "We don't have time every day to help each patient complete a menu selection. Let's tell dietary to prepare popular choices and send them to our unit." Select the nurse's best response.

Accepted Answer

A)  "Thanks for the suggestion, but that idea may not work because so many patients take MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) antidepressants." 
B)  "Thanks for the idea, but it's important to treat patients as individuals. Giving choices is one way we can respect patients' individuality." 
C)  "Thank you for the suggestion, but the patients' bill of rights requires us to allow patients to select their own diet." 
D)  "Thank you. That is a very good idea. It will make meal preparation easier for the dietary department." 
A)  "Thanks for the suggestion, but that idea may not work because so many patients take MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) antidepressants." 
B)  "Thanks for the idea, but it's important to treat patients as individuals. Giving choices is one way we can respect patients' individuality." 
C)  "Thank you for the suggestion, but the patients' bill of rights requires us to allow patients to select their own diet." 
D)  "Thank you. That is a very good idea. It will make meal preparation easier for the dietary department."

Question 6

Which action by a nurse constitutes a breach of a patient's right to privacy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Documenting the patient's daily behavior during hospitalization 
B)  Releasing information to the patient's employer without consent 
C)  Discussing the patient's history with other staff during care planning 
D)  Asking family to share information about a patient's pre-hospitalization behavior 
A)  Documenting the patient's daily behavior during hospitalization 
B)  Releasing information to the patient's employer without consent 
C)  Discussing the patient's history with other staff during care planning 
D)  Asking family to share information about a patient's pre-hospitalization behavior

Question 7

A nurse prepares to administer a scheduled intramuscular injection of an antipsychotic medication to an outpatient diagnosed with schizophrenia. As the nurse swabs the site, the patient shouts, "Stop! I don't want to take that medicine anymore. I hate the side effects." Select the nurse's best action.

Accepted Answer

A)  Assemble other staff for a show of force and proceed with the injection, using restraint if necessary. 
B)  Stop the medication administration procedure and say to the patient, "Tell me more about the side effects you've been having." 
C)  Proceed with the injection but explain to the patient that there are medications that will help reduce the unpleasant side effects. 
D)  Say to the patient, "Since I've already drawn the medication in the syringe, I'm required to give it, but let's talk to the doctor about delaying next month's dose." 
A)  Assemble other staff for a show of force and proceed with the injection, using restraint if necessary. 
B)  Stop the medication administration procedure and say to the patient, "Tell me more about the side effects you've been having." 
C)  Proceed with the injection but explain to the patient that there are medications that will help reduce the unpleasant side effects. 
D)  Say to the patient, "Since I've already drawn the medication in the syringe, I'm required to give it, but let's talk to the doctor about delaying next month's dose."

Question 8

Insurance will not pay for continued private hospitalization of a mentally ill patient. The family considers transferring the patient to a public hospital but expresses concern that the patient will not get any treatment if transferred. Select the nurse's most helpful reply.

Accepted Answer

A)  "By law, treatment must be provided. Hospitalization without treatment violates patients' rights." 
B)  "All patients in public hospitals have the right to choose both a primary therapist and a primary nurse." 
C)  "You have a justifiable concern because the right to treatment extends only to provision of food, shelter, and safety." 
D)  "Much will depend on other patients, because the right to treatment for a psychotic patient takes precedence over the right to treatment of a patient who is stable." 
A)  "By law, treatment must be provided. Hospitalization without treatment violates patients' rights." 
B)  "All patients in public hospitals have the right to choose both a primary therapist and a primary nurse." 
C)  "You have a justifiable concern because the right to treatment extends only to provision of food, shelter, and safety." 
D)  "Much will depend on other patients, because the right to treatment for a psychotic patient takes precedence over the right to treatment of a patient who is stable."

Question 9

An adolescent hospitalized after a violent physical outburst tells the nurse, "I'm going to kill my father, but you can't tell anyone." Select the nurse's best response.

Accepted Answer

A)  "You are right. Federal law requires me to keep clinical information private." 
B)  "I am obligated to share that information with the treatment team." 
C)  "Those kinds of thoughts will make your hospitalization longer." 
D)  "You should share this thought with your psychiatrist." 
A)  "You are right. Federal law requires me to keep clinical information private." 
B)  "I am obligated to share that information with the treatment team." 
C)  "Those kinds of thoughts will make your hospitalization longer." 
D)  "You should share this thought with your psychiatrist."

Question 10

Which action by a psychiatric nurse best applies the ethical principle of autonomy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Exploring alternative solutions with the patient, who then makes a choice. 
B)  Suggesting that two patients who were fighting be restricted to the unit. 
C)  Intervening when a self-mutilating patient attempts to harm self. 
D)  Staying with a patient demonstrating a high level of anxiety. 
A)  Exploring alternative solutions with the patient, who then makes a choice. 
B)  Suggesting that two patients who were fighting be restricted to the unit. 
C)  Intervening when a self-mutilating patient attempts to harm self. 
D)  Staying with a patient demonstrating a high level of anxiety.

Exam 6: Legal and Ethical Considerations

Which patient meets criteria for involuntary hospitalization for psychiatric treatment? The patient who

What is the legal significance of a nurse's action when a patient verbally refuses medication and the nurse gives the medication over the patient's objection? The nurse

A patient experiencing psychosis asks a psychiatric technician, "What's the matter with me?" The technician replies, "Nothing is wrong with you. You just need to use some self-control." The nurse who overheard the exchange should take action based on

A patient in alcohol rehabilitation reveals to the nurse, "I feel terrible guilt for sexually abusing my 6-year-old before I was admitted." Select the nurse's most important action.

An aide in a psychiatric hospital says to the nurse, "We don't have time every day to help each patient complete a menu selection. Let's tell dietary to prepare popular choices and send them to our unit." Select the nurse's best response.

Which action by a nurse constitutes a breach of a patient's right to privacy?

Insurance will not pay for continued private hospitalization of a mentally ill patient. The family considers transferring the patient to a public hospital but expresses concern that the patient will not get any treatment if transferred. Select the nurse's most helpful reply.

An adolescent hospitalized after a violent physical outburst tells the nurse, "I'm going to kill my father, but you can't tell anyone." Select the nurse's best response.

Which action by a psychiatric nurse best applies the ethical principle of autonomy?

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