Varcarolis Mental Health Chapter 4
Questions and Answers
Which of the following structural safety precautions is most important
when attempting to prevent a common type of inpatient suicide?
A) Break-away closet bars to prevent hanging
B) Bedroom and dining areas with locked windows to prevent jumping
C) Double-locked doors to prevent escaping from the unit
D) Platform beds to prevent crush injuries - Answer✔️✔️-A
Hangings are the most common method of inpatient suicide. The other
options are important safety measures but don't directly address the
suicide method of hanging.
Which of the following patients would be appropriate to refer to a partial
hospitalization program (PHP)?
1
, ©SOPHIABENNETT@2024-2025 Monday, August 26, 2024 6:09 AM
A) A depressed patient with a suicidal plan
B) A patient being discharged from an inpatient alcohol rehabilitation unit
C) A client who has stopped taking his or her antipsychotic medication and
is neglecting his or her basic needs
D) Jeff, who has mild depression symptoms and is starting outpatient
therapy - Answer✔️✔️-B
PHP is for patients who may need a "step-down" environment from
inpatient status or for those who are being diverted from hospitalization
with intensive, short-term care from which they return home each day.
This patient would be a good candidate after completing alcohol rehab;
PHP could possibly help prevent relapse in the early stages after rehab.
This patient can be managed with regular outpatient therapy and does not
need intensive short-term therapy such as PHP. Someone who is suicidal
would require inpatient hospitalization for safety as would someone who
is decompensated and not caring for herself. A patient exhibiting mild
2
, ©SOPHIABENNETT@2024-2025 Monday, August 26, 2024 6:09 AM
depression would be managed with outpatient therapy and would not
need intensive short-term therapy such as PHP.
Which of the following patients meets the criteria for an involuntary
admission to a psychiatric mental health unit?
A) A 23-year-old college student who has developed symptoms of anxiety
and is missing classes and work
B) A 30-year-old accountant who has developed symptoms of depression
C) A 26-year-old kindergarten teacher who is not in touch with reality and
was found wandering in and out of traffic on a busy road
D) A 76-year-old retired librarian who is experiencing memory loss and
some confusion at times - Answer✔️✔️-C
Inpatient involuntary admission is reserved for patients who are at risk for
self-harm or who cannot adequately protect themselves from harm because
of their illness (e.g., a psychotic patient). The other options can all be
3