Nokea
Which situations qualify as abandonment on the part of a nurse?
- A. The nurse allows a patient with acute mania to refuse hospitalization without taking further action.
- B. The nurse terminates employment without referring a seriously mentally ill patient for aftercare.
- C. The nurse calls police to bring a suicidal patient to the hospital after a suicide attempt.
- D. The nurse refers a patient with persistent paranoid schizophrenia to community treatment.
- E. The nurse asks another nurse to provide a patient's care because of concerns about countertransference.
Correct Answer: A,B
Rationale: Failing to ensure continued care for acutely ill patients constitutes abandonment. Other actions provide for patient safety or self-awareness.
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A patient should be considered for involuntary commitment for psychiatric care when demonstrating what behavior?
- A. Nonadherent with the treatment regimen.
- B. Sells and distributes illegal drugs.
- C. Threatens to harm self and others.
- D. Fraudulently files for bankruptcy.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Involuntary commitment is warranted for danger to self or others, as in threats of harm. Other behaviors, while problematic, do not meet this criterion.
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia believes evil spirits are being summoned by a local minister and verbally threatens to bomb a local church. What principle governs the proper action in this situation?
- A. Need for authorization
- B. Duty to warn and protect
- C. Patient right to confidentiality
- D. Patient's right to self-actualization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The duty to warn protects potential victims, overriding confidentiality when threats are made.
After leaving work, a staff nurse realizes that documentation of the administration of a medication to a patient was omitted. This off-duty nurse telephones the unit and tells the nurse, 'Please document the administration of the medication I forgot to do. My password is alphal.' What action should the on-duty nurse take?
- A. Suggest the nurse return and document.
- B. Refer the matter to the charge nurse to resolve.
- C. Access the record and document the information.
- D. Report the request to the patient's health care provider.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Referring to the charge nurse ensures policy compliance and proper documentation without risking unauthorized access.
Which individual diagnosed with a mental illness may need emergency or involuntary hospitalization for mental illness?
- A. The patient who resumes using heroin while still taking methadone.
- B. The patient who reports hearing angels playing harps during thunderstorms.
- C. The patient who throws a heavy plate at a waiter at the direction of command hallucinations.
- D. The patient who does not show up for an outpatient appointment with the mental health nurse.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Throwing a plate due to hallucinations indicates danger to others, justifying involuntary hospitalization.
A patient diagnosed with mental illness asks a psychiatric technician, 'What's the matter with me?' The technician replies, 'Your wing nuts need tightening.' The nurse who overheard the exchange should take action based on what principle?
- A. Violation of the patient's right to be treated with dignity and respect
- B. The nurse's obligation to report caregiver negligence
- C. Preventing defamation of the patient's character
- D. Supervisory liability
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The technician's response violates the patient's right to respectful treatment, constituting emotional abuse.