Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is the essence of Tarasoff? - CORRECT ANSWER - California Supreme Court Ruling,
stated that therapists have a duty to protect.
Tarasoff statute says what? - CORRECT ANSWER - There is a duty to warn, protect and
predict.
Tarasoff- When are Tarasoff legal obligations met? What three criteria are needed? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Patient has communicated to the psychotherapy a serious threat of physical
violence against a reasonably identifiable victim or victims
Tarasoff-So if criteria are met, what are the two components of psychotherapist duty? -
CORRECT ANSWER - A reasonable effort must be made to warn the intended victim or
victims; the police must be notified
Tarasoff-What was the Ewing decision? - CORRECT ANSWER - The Ewing decision stated
that communications from family members are patient communications within the meaning of
the Tarasoff statute
Involuntary commitment/IC: 72 hour hold. What are the types of 72 hour holds? (codes) -
CORRECT ANSWER - 5150 (adults); 5585 (minors)
IC: Why is a 72 hold applied/used/called for? - CORRECT ANSWER - A person, who as a
result of a mental disorder is a danger to self, others, or is gravely disabled, may be involuntarily
confined for 72 hours of treatment and evaluation
IC: What does danger to self or others refer to? - CORRECT ANSWER - Specific suicidal
intent
, IC: What does grave disability refer to? - CORRECT ANSWER - The inability to provide for
one's food, clothing, or shelter
IC: What is the role of a parent or guardian when a minor is deemed appropriate to be
hospitalized? - CORRECT ANSWER - A minor can only be hospitalized involuntarily when a
parent/guardian is not available to authorize voluntary treatment. Also, the treatment facility
must attempt to notify the parent or guardian.
IC: 14 day hold - 5250 occurs when? - CORRECT ANSWER - A person can be certified for
up to 14 days of intensive treatment if after a person is detained for 72 hours, the person remains
a danger to self, others or is gravely disabled as a result of a mental disorder or impairment due
to chronic alcoholism
IC: Must the person be advised of the need for additional voluntary treatment? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Yes, the person must have been advised for the need for additional voluntary
treatment, but refused to accept voluntary treatment.
IC: For a 5250, what type of review if a patient entitled to? - CORRECT ANSWER - Entitled
to a certification review hearing within 4 days of the date of certification
IC: Post-certification holds (following initial 14-day hold)- 5260 - CORRECT ANSWER - At
the expiration of the 14-day hold (5250), a patient who continues to present an imminent threat
of suicide may be confined for an additional 14 days. This is not renewable.
IC: Post-certification holds (following initial 14-day hold)- 5300 - CORRECT ANSWER - At
the expiration of the 14-day hold (5250), a patient who continues to present an imminent threat
of danger to others may be confined for up to 180 additional days; the 180 day hold can be
renewed.
IC: Post-certification holds (following initial 14-day hold)- 5270, 15 - CORRECT ANSWER -
At the expiration of the 14-day hold (5250), a patient who remains gravely disabled may be
certified for an addiitonal 30 days; cannot continue confinement after 30 days unless a petition
for conservatorship has been filed during the hold