Varcarolis chapter 6 Questions and
Correct Answers
Which action by a psychiatric nurse best applies the ethical principle of autonomy?
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. - correct answers:a. Exploring alternative
solutions with the patient, who then makes a choice.
A nurse finds a psychiatric advance directive in the medical record of a patient currently experiencing
psychosis. The directive was executed during a period when the patient was stable and competent. The
nurse should
a. review the directive with the patient to ensure it is current.
b. ensure that the directive is respected in treatment planning.
c. consider the directive only if there is a cardiac or respiratory arrest.
d. encourage the patient to revise the directive in light of the current health problem. - correct
answers:b. ensure that the directive is respected in treatment planning
Two hospitalized patients fight whenever they are together. During a team meeting, a nurse asserts that
safety is of paramount importance, so treatment plans should call for both patients to be secluded to
keep them from injuring each other. This assertion
a. reinforces the autonomy of the two patients.
b. violates the civil rights of both patients.
c. represents the intentional tort of battery.
d. correctly places emphasis on safety. - correct answers:b. violates the civil rights of both patients.
In a team meeting a nurse says, "I'm concerned about whether we are behaving ethically by using
restraint to prevent one patient from self-mutilation, while the care plan for another self-mutilating
patient requires one-on-one supervision." Which ethical principle most clearly applies to this situation?
a. Beneficence
, b. Autonomy
c. Fidelity
d. Justice - correct answers:d. Justice
Select the example of a tort.
a. The plan of care for a patient is not completed within 24 hours of the patient's admission.
b. A nurse gives a prn dose of an antipsychotic drug to an agitated patient because the unit is short-
staffed.
c. An advanced practice nurse recommends hospitalization for a patient who is dangerous to self and
others.
d. A patient's admission status changed from involuntary to voluntary after the patient's hallucinations
subside. - correct answers:b. A nurse gives a prn dose of an antipsychotic drug to an agitated patient
because the unit is short-staffed.
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. has been negligent.
b. committed malpractice.
c. fulfilled the standard of care.
d. can be charged with battery. - correct answers:d. can be charged with battery.
Which nursing intervention demonstrates false imprisonment?
a. A confused and combative patient says, "I'm getting out of here, and no one can stop me." The nurse
restrains this patient without a health care provider's order and then promptly obtains an order.
b. A patient has been irritating and attention seeking much of the day. A nurse escorts the patient down
the hall saying, "Stay in your room, or you'll be put in seclusion."
c. An involuntarily hospitalized patient with suicidal ideation runs out of the psychiatric unit. The nurse
rushes after the patient and convinces the patient to return to the unit.
d. An involuntarily hospitalized patient with homicidal ideation attempts to leave the facility. A nurse
calls the security team and uses established protocols to prevent the patient from leaving. - correct
answers:b. A patient has been irritating and attention seeking much of the day. A nurse escorts the
patient down the hall saying, "Stay in your room, or you'll be put in seclusion."
Correct Answers
Which action by a psychiatric nurse best applies the ethical principle of autonomy?
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. - correct answers:a. Exploring alternative
solutions with the patient, who then makes a choice.
A nurse finds a psychiatric advance directive in the medical record of a patient currently experiencing
psychosis. The directive was executed during a period when the patient was stable and competent. The
nurse should
a. review the directive with the patient to ensure it is current.
b. ensure that the directive is respected in treatment planning.
c. consider the directive only if there is a cardiac or respiratory arrest.
d. encourage the patient to revise the directive in light of the current health problem. - correct
answers:b. ensure that the directive is respected in treatment planning
Two hospitalized patients fight whenever they are together. During a team meeting, a nurse asserts that
safety is of paramount importance, so treatment plans should call for both patients to be secluded to
keep them from injuring each other. This assertion
a. reinforces the autonomy of the two patients.
b. violates the civil rights of both patients.
c. represents the intentional tort of battery.
d. correctly places emphasis on safety. - correct answers:b. violates the civil rights of both patients.
In a team meeting a nurse says, "I'm concerned about whether we are behaving ethically by using
restraint to prevent one patient from self-mutilation, while the care plan for another self-mutilating
patient requires one-on-one supervision." Which ethical principle most clearly applies to this situation?
a. Beneficence
, b. Autonomy
c. Fidelity
d. Justice - correct answers:d. Justice
Select the example of a tort.
a. The plan of care for a patient is not completed within 24 hours of the patient's admission.
b. A nurse gives a prn dose of an antipsychotic drug to an agitated patient because the unit is short-
staffed.
c. An advanced practice nurse recommends hospitalization for a patient who is dangerous to self and
others.
d. A patient's admission status changed from involuntary to voluntary after the patient's hallucinations
subside. - correct answers:b. A nurse gives a prn dose of an antipsychotic drug to an agitated patient
because the unit is short-staffed.
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. has been negligent.
b. committed malpractice.
c. fulfilled the standard of care.
d. can be charged with battery. - correct answers:d. can be charged with battery.
Which nursing intervention demonstrates false imprisonment?
a. A confused and combative patient says, "I'm getting out of here, and no one can stop me." The nurse
restrains this patient without a health care provider's order and then promptly obtains an order.
b. A patient has been irritating and attention seeking much of the day. A nurse escorts the patient down
the hall saying, "Stay in your room, or you'll be put in seclusion."
c. An involuntarily hospitalized patient with suicidal ideation runs out of the psychiatric unit. The nurse
rushes after the patient and convinces the patient to return to the unit.
d. An involuntarily hospitalized patient with homicidal ideation attempts to leave the facility. A nurse
calls the security team and uses established protocols to prevent the patient from leaving. - correct
answers:b. A patient has been irritating and attention seeking much of the day. A nurse escorts the
patient down the hall saying, "Stay in your room, or you'll be put in seclusion."
