Nokea
A psychiatric-mental health nurse determines that a patient is competent when he is able to do which of the following?
- A. Speak coherent English.
- B. Communicate his or her choices.
- C. Write a living will.
- D. Comply with the medical regimen.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Competency is determined by a patient?s ability to understand relevant information, appreciate their situation, and communicate choices effectively, not merely by language fluency, ability to write, or compliance.
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A psychiatric-mental health nurse is documenting information in a patient?s medical record. Which of the following would be least likely to increase the nurse?s legal liability?
- A. Patient reported that he was feeling better today than yesterday.
- B. Administered haloperidol 10 mg IM stat as ordered for agitation.
- C. Patient was talking with another staff member and started screaming.
- D. Applied restraints to all four patient extremities.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Documenting a patient?s subjective report of feeling better is factual and low-risk, whereas administering medication, describing behavior, or applying restraints carries higher legal risk if not properly justified or executed.
A nurse working on the psychiatric unit receives a telephone call from the employer of one of the patients on the unit. The employer asks to be sent a copy of Mr. Murray?s latest laboratory work and psychological testing results so Mr. Murray?s medical records in employee health can be kept up to date. Based on the nurse?s knowledge about issues surrounding breach of confidentiality, which response would be the most appropriate?
- A. I?m sorry; we?re not allowed to give out that information about our patient.
- B. I?ll have to get the patient?s signed consent before we can send that information to you.
- C. I am unable to acknowledge whether or not a Mr. Murray is a patient on this unit.
- D. Sure, give me your address, and I will see that the information is sent to you.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under HIPAA, nurses cannot confirm or deny a patient?s presence without consent, as this protects patient privacy. Acknowledging a patient?s presence or sharing records requires written authorization.
The nurse is providing care to a male patient who is hospitalized with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Which of the following would be appropriate for the nurse to include in the patient?s medical record?
- A. Patient states that he had a good night with no complaints.
- B. Complained of being unable to sleep because he heard voices throughout the night.
- C. Had a typical night without incidence of insomnia or nightmares.
- D. Acted crazily throughout the night; kept hearing voices and noises.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Documentation should be specific, objective, and reflect patient statements or symptoms, such as reporting inability to sleep due to hearing voices, which is relevant to schizophrenia. Terms like ?crazily? are unprofessional.
A patient is going to be discharged this afternoon from the mental health unit. The patient asks the nurse if a copy of his medical record could be sent to the psychologist he will be seeing on an outpatient basis. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
- A. Sure, we?ll have that information sent out in today?s mail.
- B. You will need to sign written authorization for us before we can do this.
- C. I think it would just be best if you just told your psychologist everything he needs to know.
- D. How are you feeling about being discharged this afternoon?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HIPAA requires written patient authorization to release medical records to another provider, ensuring confidentiality and patient control over their health information.
A group of students are preparing a class presentation about negligence. Which of the following would the group include as an element required for proving negligence?
- A. Duty to provide care
- B. Proximate cause
- C. Resultant damages
- D. Breach of duty
- E. Cause in fact
- F. Evidence of mistake
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E
Rationale: Proving negligence requires establishing a duty to provide care, breach of that duty, cause in fact (the breach caused harm), proximate cause (the harm was foreseeable), and resultant damages.