Nokea
Planning for patients diagnosed with mental illness is facilitated by understanding that inpatient hospitalization is generally reserved for a patient presenting with what characteristic?
- A. Presents a clear danger to self or others.
- B. Consistently noncompliant with medications at home.
- C. Has no reliable support systems in the local community.
- D. Develops new symptoms during the course of an illness.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hospitalization is justified when the patient is a danger to self or others, has dangerously decompensated, or needs intensive medical treatment. The incorrect options do not necessarily describe patients for whom less restrictive treatment is indicated.
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A patient is hospitalized for a reaction to a psychotropic medication and then is closely monitored for 24 hours. During a pre-discharge visit, the case manager learns the patient received a notice of eviction on the day of admission. What is the most appropriate intervention for the case manager to implement?
- A. Cancel the patient's discharge from the hospital.
- B. Contact the landlord who evicted the patient to discuss the situation.
- C. Arrange a temporary place for the patient to stay until new housing can be secured.
- D. Document that the patient's recovery will be hampered because of homelessness.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The case manager should intervene by arranging temporary shelter for the patient until suitable housing can be found. This is part of the coordination and delivery of services that falls under the case manager role. The other options are not viable alternatives.
A nurse surveys the medical records for violations of patients' rights. Which finding signals a violation?
- A. No treatment plan is present in record.
- B. Patient belongings were searched at admission.
- C. Physical restraints were used to prevent harm to self.
- D. Patient is placed on one-to-one continuous observation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The patient has the right to have a treatment plan. Inspecting a patient's belongings is a safety measure. Patients have the right to a safe environment, including the right to be protected against impulses to harm self that occur as a result of a mental disorder.
Which assessment finding for a patient living in the community requires priority intervention by the nurse?
- A. Receives Social Security disability income plus a small check from a trust fund.
- B. Lives in an apartment with two patients who attend day hospital programs.
- C. Has a sibling who is interested and active in care planning.
- D. Purchases and uses marijuana on a frequent basis.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Patients who regularly buy illegal substances often become medication noncompliant. Medication noncompliance, along with the disorganizing influence of illegal drugs on cellular brain function, promotes relapse. The remaining options do not suggest problems.
The following patients are seen in the emergency department. The psychiatric unit has one bed available. The patient demonstrating which problem should the admitting officer recommend for admission to the hospital?
- A. Experiencing dry mouth and tremor related to side effects of haloperidol
- B. Experiencing anxiety after divorcing a spouse after 10 years of marriage
- C. Has a self-inflicted a superficial cut on the forearm after a family argument
- D. Has begun hearing voices encouraging her to, 'Smother your infant'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Admission to the hospital would be justified by the risk of patient danger to self or others. The other patients have issues that can be handled with less restrictive alternatives than hospitalization.
Which patient would a nurse refer to partial hospitalization?
- A. One who spent yesterday in the 24-hour supervised crisis care center and continues to be actively suicidal.
- B. One who is experiencing agoraphobia and panic episodes and who would benefit from psychoeducation for relaxation therapy.
- C. One who has a therapeutic lithium level and reports regularly for blood tests and clinic follow-up.
- D. One who states, 'I'm not sure I can avoid using alcohol when my spouse goes to work every morning.'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This patient could profit from the structure and supervision provided by spending the day at the partial hospitalization program. During the evening, at night, and on weekends, the spouse could assume supervision responsibilities. The patient who is actively suicidal needs inpatient hospitalization. The patient in need of psychoeducation can be referred to home care. The patient who reports regularly for blood tests and clinical follow-up can continue on the same plan.