Which patient would the nurse determine to be the most likely a candidate for involuntary commitment?
- A. The client who refuses to take the prescribed medication
- B. The client who is screaming in the street disturbing neighbors
- C. The client who refuses to participate in the planned therapy
- D. The client with a mental disorder who is homeless
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Involuntary commitment is warranted when a patient poses a danger to themselves or others or is gravely disabled due to mental illness. Screaming in the street and disturbing others suggests potential danger or severe impairment.
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A patient is involuntarily committed without a court order. The nurse understands that the emergency short-term hospitalization can occur for which time frame?
- A. A maximum of 24 hours
- B. 48 to 92 hours
- C. 3 to 5 days
- D. One week
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Emergency short-term involuntary hospitalization, often under a psychiatric hold, typically lasts 48 to 72 hours (up to 92 hours in some jurisdictions) for evaluation, pending a court hearing.
A psychiatric-mental health patient has an advance care directive on his medical record. A clinician provides treatment that disregards the patient?s directive. The clinician would be liable for which of the following?
- A. Assault
- B. Battery
- C. Medical battery
- D. False imprisonment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Disregarding an advance care directive and providing unauthorized treatment constitutes medical battery, a specific type of battery involving non-consensual medical intervention.
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 patient receives a court order for commitment. Which of the following best exemplifies the concept of least restrictive environment?
- A. Involuntary commitment to an outpatient community mental health center
- B. Medication administration for sedation so the patient cannot get out of bed
- C. Placing the patient in a locked padded room in response to threats of self-harm
- D. Allowing the patient to make the decision about whether treatment is necessary
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The least restrictive environment principle requires that treatment occur in the least confining setting possible, such as outpatient community mental health care, unless more restrictive measures are necessary for safety.
A patient?s psychiatrist informs her that he thinks she needs to participate in a 3-month outpatient aftercare program after her discharge. Which of the following would protect the patient?s right to request a second opinion before agreeing to this suggestion?
- A. Self-determinism
- B. Least restrictive environment
- C. Confidentiality
- D. Mandates to inform
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Self-determinism refers to a patient?s right to make autonomous decisions about their treatment, including seeking a second opinion before agreeing to a recommended treatment plan.
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