SHEILA L. VIDEBECK TEST BANK
Chapter 9: Legal and Ethical Issues
1. A client made threats to harm his parents if they come too close to him. The parents
called 911, and the client is now held involuntarily for a psychiatric evaluation. During
this time of involuntary admission, the client retains all client rights except for which
of the following?
A) Confidentiality
B) Right to freedom
C) Periodic treatment review
D) Choice of providers
Ans: B
Feedback:
Civil commitment or involuntary hospitalization curtails the client's right to freedom
(the ability to leave the hospital when he or she wishes). All other client rights, however,
remain intact.
2. Which of the following would be circumstances when a client could be subjected to
involuntary hospitalization? Select all that apply.
A) When a client states that he or she intends to commit suicide and is making plans
to do so.
B) When a client does not bathe regularly or change clothes often.
C) When a client states that he or she intends to harm others by a deliberate act.
D) When a client who has diabetes refuses to follow the prescribed diet.
E) When a client is unable to control his or her rage and is assaulting everyone around
him or her.
Ans: A, C, E
Feedback:
Health-care professionals respect the wishes of a client who does not wish to be
hospitalized and treated unless clients are a danger to themselves or others (i.e., they are
threatening or have attempted suicide or represent a danger to others). When a client
states that he or she intends to commit suicide and is making plans to do so, the client is
threatening suicide and could be subjected to involuntary hospitalization. When a client
does not bathe regularly or change clothes often, the client is neglecting his or her
hygiene, but it is unlikely that this could be construed as an imminent risk of harm to
self. When a client states that he or she intends to harm others by a deliberate act, the
client could be considered representing a danger to others. When a client who has
diabetes refuses to follow the prescribed diet, the client is acting within his or her own
right to comply with the recommendations of their health-care provider. When a client is
unable to control his or her rage and is assaulting everyone around him or her, the client
would be considered a danger to others.
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, SHEILA L. VIDEBECK TEST BANK
3. A client who has depression is admitted to treatment on a voluntary basis. While in the
hospital, the client makes several comments about wanting to ìend it all.î The client
decides one day to leave against medical advice. Which of the following would be the
most appropriate action by the nursing staff?
A) Calling security and asking them to detain the client
B) Allowing the client to leave with community resources for follow-up care
C) Contacting the psychiatrist for initiation of commitment proceedings
D) Contacting the client's family to request they convince the client to stay
Ans: C
Feedback:
If a voluntary client who is dangerous to himself or herself or to others signs a request
for discharge, the psychiatrist may file for a civil commitment to detain the client
against his or her will until a hearing can take place to decide the matter.
4. Which of the following clients would most likely be mandated outpatient treatment?
A) A client who is addicted to alcohol who has two DUI offenses
B) A client with schizophrenia who lives in a single family home with siblings
C) A client with bipolar disorder who has quit three jobs in the last 6 months
D) A homeless client who has been arrested for petty theft of groceries from a
convenience store.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Mandatory outpatient treatment is sometimes also called conditional release or
outpatient commitment. Court-ordered outpatient treatment is most common among
persons with severe and persistent metal illness who have had frequent and multiple
contacts with mental health, social welfare, and criminal justice agencies. This supports
the notion that clients are given several opportunities to voluntarily comply with
outpatient treatment recommendations and that court-ordered treatment is considered
when those attempts have been repeatedly unsuccessful.
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, SHEILA L. VIDEBECK TEST BANK
5. Under which conditions would it be in the client's best interest for the court to appoint a
conservator, or legal guardian? Select all that apply.
A) Gravely disabled
B) Mentally incompetent
C) Noncompliant
D) Unable to provide basic needs when resources exist
E) Act only on his or her own interests
Ans: A, B, D
Feedback:
The appointment of a conservator or legal guardian is a separate process from civil
commitment. People who are gravely disabled; are found to be incompetent; cannot
provide food, clothing, and shelter for themselves even when resources exist; and cannot
act in their own best interests may require appointment of a conservator. In these cases,
the court appoints a person to act as a legal guardian who assumes many responsibilities
for the person.
6. An adolescent on the unit is argumentative with staff and peers. The nurse tells the
adolescent, ìArguing is not allowed. One more word and you will have to stay in your
room the rest of the day.î The nurse's directive is
A) inappropriate; room restriction is not treatment in the least restrictive
environment.
B) inappropriate; the adolescent should be offered a sedative before room restriction.
C) appropriate; room restriction is an effective behavior modification technique.
D) appropriate; the adolescent should not have conflicts with others.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Clients have the right to treatment in the least restrictive environment appropriate to
meet their needs. It means that a client does not have to be hospitalized if he or she can
be treated in an outpatient setting or in a group home. It also means that the client must
be free of restraint or seclusion unless it is necessary. Verbal and behavioral techniques
should be instituted before physical measures such as sedation, restraint, or seclusion.
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Chapter 9: Legal and Ethical Issues
1. A client made threats to harm his parents if they come too close to him. The parents
called 911, and the client is now held involuntarily for a psychiatric evaluation. During
this time of involuntary admission, the client retains all client rights except for which
of the following?
A) Confidentiality
B) Right to freedom
C) Periodic treatment review
D) Choice of providers
Ans: B
Feedback:
Civil commitment or involuntary hospitalization curtails the client's right to freedom
(the ability to leave the hospital when he or she wishes). All other client rights, however,
remain intact.
2. Which of the following would be circumstances when a client could be subjected to
involuntary hospitalization? Select all that apply.
A) When a client states that he or she intends to commit suicide and is making plans
to do so.
B) When a client does not bathe regularly or change clothes often.
C) When a client states that he or she intends to harm others by a deliberate act.
D) When a client who has diabetes refuses to follow the prescribed diet.
E) When a client is unable to control his or her rage and is assaulting everyone around
him or her.
Ans: A, C, E
Feedback:
Health-care professionals respect the wishes of a client who does not wish to be
hospitalized and treated unless clients are a danger to themselves or others (i.e., they are
threatening or have attempted suicide or represent a danger to others). When a client
states that he or she intends to commit suicide and is making plans to do so, the client is
threatening suicide and could be subjected to involuntary hospitalization. When a client
does not bathe regularly or change clothes often, the client is neglecting his or her
hygiene, but it is unlikely that this could be construed as an imminent risk of harm to
self. When a client states that he or she intends to harm others by a deliberate act, the
client could be considered representing a danger to others. When a client who has
diabetes refuses to follow the prescribed diet, the client is acting within his or her own
right to comply with the recommendations of their health-care provider. When a client is
unable to control his or her rage and is assaulting everyone around him or her, the client
would be considered a danger to others.
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, SHEILA L. VIDEBECK TEST BANK
3. A client who has depression is admitted to treatment on a voluntary basis. While in the
hospital, the client makes several comments about wanting to ìend it all.î The client
decides one day to leave against medical advice. Which of the following would be the
most appropriate action by the nursing staff?
A) Calling security and asking them to detain the client
B) Allowing the client to leave with community resources for follow-up care
C) Contacting the psychiatrist for initiation of commitment proceedings
D) Contacting the client's family to request they convince the client to stay
Ans: C
Feedback:
If a voluntary client who is dangerous to himself or herself or to others signs a request
for discharge, the psychiatrist may file for a civil commitment to detain the client
against his or her will until a hearing can take place to decide the matter.
4. Which of the following clients would most likely be mandated outpatient treatment?
A) A client who is addicted to alcohol who has two DUI offenses
B) A client with schizophrenia who lives in a single family home with siblings
C) A client with bipolar disorder who has quit three jobs in the last 6 months
D) A homeless client who has been arrested for petty theft of groceries from a
convenience store.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Mandatory outpatient treatment is sometimes also called conditional release or
outpatient commitment. Court-ordered outpatient treatment is most common among
persons with severe and persistent metal illness who have had frequent and multiple
contacts with mental health, social welfare, and criminal justice agencies. This supports
the notion that clients are given several opportunities to voluntarily comply with
outpatient treatment recommendations and that court-ordered treatment is considered
when those attempts have been repeatedly unsuccessful.
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, SHEILA L. VIDEBECK TEST BANK
5. Under which conditions would it be in the client's best interest for the court to appoint a
conservator, or legal guardian? Select all that apply.
A) Gravely disabled
B) Mentally incompetent
C) Noncompliant
D) Unable to provide basic needs when resources exist
E) Act only on his or her own interests
Ans: A, B, D
Feedback:
The appointment of a conservator or legal guardian is a separate process from civil
commitment. People who are gravely disabled; are found to be incompetent; cannot
provide food, clothing, and shelter for themselves even when resources exist; and cannot
act in their own best interests may require appointment of a conservator. In these cases,
the court appoints a person to act as a legal guardian who assumes many responsibilities
for the person.
6. An adolescent on the unit is argumentative with staff and peers. The nurse tells the
adolescent, ìArguing is not allowed. One more word and you will have to stay in your
room the rest of the day.î The nurse's directive is
A) inappropriate; room restriction is not treatment in the least restrictive
environment.
B) inappropriate; the adolescent should be offered a sedative before room restriction.
C) appropriate; room restriction is an effective behavior modification technique.
D) appropriate; the adolescent should not have conflicts with others.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Clients have the right to treatment in the least restrictive environment appropriate to
meet their needs. It means that a client does not have to be hospitalized if he or she can
be treated in an outpatient setting or in a group home. It also means that the client must
be free of restraint or seclusion unless it is necessary. Verbal and behavioral techniques
should be instituted before physical measures such as sedation, restraint, or seclusion.
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