Chapter 04: Patient Rights and Legal Issues
1. A nurse is explaining advance care directives, or living wills, to a patient and the patient‟s
spouse.
Which of the following would the nurse include in the description?
A) The document tells what treatment is to be omitted if the patient is unable to make the
decision.
B) It requires that the patient sign the living will document while an attorney is present.
C) The patient‟s physician must act as a witness when the patient signs the document.
D) An attorney draws up the papers to be given to the patient and his or her family.
2. A psychiatricmental health nurse determines that a patient is competent when he is able
to do which of
the following?
A) Speak coherent English.
B) Communicate his or her choices.
C) Write a living will.
D) Comply with the medical regimen.
3. 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 forsedation 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
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who is hospitalized for a mental disorder. The nurse is
legally obligated
to breach the patient‟s confidentiality if the patient states which of the following?
A) I think that the federal government is spying on me.
B) I get really „turned on‟ by your appearance.
C) That doctor I had today really made me angry.
D) When I get out of here, I‟m going to kill my neighbor.
5. 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 isscreaming in the street disturbing neighbors
C) The client who refusesto participate in the planned therapy
D) The client with a mental disorder who is homeless
6. The nurse is providing care to a male patient who is hospitalized with a diagnosis of
schizophrenia.
Which of the following would be appropriate for the nurse to include in the patient‟s medical
record?
A) Patient states that he had a good night with no complaints.
B) Complained of being unable to sleep because he heard voices throughout the night.
C) Had a typical night without incidence of insomnia or nightmares.
D) Acted crazily throughout the night; kept hearing voices and noises.
7. A nurse working on the psychiatric unit receives a telephone call from the employer of one
of the
patients on the unit. The employer asks to be sent a copy of Mr. Murray‟s latest laboratory
work and
1. A nurse is explaining advance care directives, or living wills, to a patient and the patient‟s
spouse.
Which of the following would the nurse include in the description?
A) The document tells what treatment is to be omitted if the patient is unable to make the
decision.
B) It requires that the patient sign the living will document while an attorney is present.
C) The patient‟s physician must act as a witness when the patient signs the document.
D) An attorney draws up the papers to be given to the patient and his or her family.
2. A psychiatricmental health nurse determines that a patient is competent when he is able
to do which of
the following?
A) Speak coherent English.
B) Communicate his or her choices.
C) Write a living will.
D) Comply with the medical regimen.
3. 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 forsedation 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
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who is hospitalized for a mental disorder. The nurse is
legally obligated
to breach the patient‟s confidentiality if the patient states which of the following?
A) I think that the federal government is spying on me.
B) I get really „turned on‟ by your appearance.
C) That doctor I had today really made me angry.
D) When I get out of here, I‟m going to kill my neighbor.
5. 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 isscreaming in the street disturbing neighbors
C) The client who refusesto participate in the planned therapy
D) The client with a mental disorder who is homeless
6. The nurse is providing care to a male patient who is hospitalized with a diagnosis of
schizophrenia.
Which of the following would be appropriate for the nurse to include in the patient‟s medical
record?
A) Patient states that he had a good night with no complaints.
B) Complained of being unable to sleep because he heard voices throughout the night.
C) Had a typical night without incidence of insomnia or nightmares.
D) Acted crazily throughout the night; kept hearing voices and noises.
7. A nurse working on the psychiatric unit receives a telephone call from the employer of one
of the
patients on the unit. The employer asks to be sent a copy of Mr. Murray‟s latest laboratory
work and
