The nurse is caring for a group of clients in the mental health outpatient clinic. Which client is most likely to be mandated by a criminal court for outpatient treatment?

A client with schizophrenia living in a single-family home with siblings

A homeless client arrested for petty theft of groceries from a convenience store

A client addicted to alcohol who has two driving under the influence offenses

A client with depression who was laid off from three jobs in the last 6 months

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Schizophrenia alone does not typically warrant court-mandated outpatient treatment unless associated with criminal behavior. Living with family suggests stability, reducing the likelihood of court intervention. Mandates are linked to legal infractions, not diagnosis alone, making this client less likely for mandated treatment.

Choice B reason: Petty theft may lead to legal consequences, but courts typically mandate treatment for offenses directly tied to mental health or substance use, like DUI. A single theft may not justify mandated outpatient mental health treatment unless it explicitly stems from a diagnosable condition requiring intervention.

Choice C reason: Two DUI offenses indicate repeated substance use (alcohol) posing public safety risks. Courts often mandate outpatient treatment for substance abuse in DUI cases to address addiction and prevent recidivism, making this client the most likely to receive a court-ordered treatment mandate for outpatient care.

Choice D reason: Job loss due to depression does not typically result in court-mandated treatment, as it lacks a criminal component. Treatment may be recommended, but courts intervene when behavior poses legal or safety risks, like DUI, making this client less likely for mandated outpatient treatment.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Insight into mental health problems varies individually and is not a defining feature of voluntary versus involuntary commitment. Both types of patients may lack insight, especially in severe mental illness, making this statement inaccurate as a legal or procedural distinction between commitment types.

Choice B reason: Involuntary commitment, under laws like a 302, restricts a client’s ability to initiate discharge due to assessed danger to self or others. Voluntary clients can request discharge, though medical advice may apply. This legal distinction defines the difference, making it the correct answer.

Choice C reason: Involuntary clients cannot universally refuse treatment, as court-ordered interventions may apply in cases of imminent danger. Both voluntary and involuntary clients have rights to refuse non-emergent treatment, but this is not the primary legal distinction between commitment types, making this option incorrect.

Choice D reason: Aggression is not a defining characteristic of voluntary commitment. Both voluntary and involuntary clients may exhibit aggression, depending on their mental health condition. The distinction lies in legal control over discharge, not behavior, making this statement inaccurate for defining commitment types.

A. Assault B. Battery C. Suicide risk D. Malpractice

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Assault involves threatening harm, not applicable here, as the issue is failure to document assessments, not intentional threats by staff. The client’s self-harm resulted from inadequate monitoring, not a staff-initiated threat, making assault an incorrect legal issue in this scenario.

Choice B reason: Battery involves unauthorized physical contact, not relevant to failure to document assessments. The client’s self-harm stemmed from inadequate observation, not staff-inflicted harm, making battery an inappropriate legal claim compared to negligence in monitoring and documentation.

Choice C reason: Suicide risk is a clinical concern, not a legal issue to defend against. While the client’s self-harm indicates risk, the hospital’s liability arises from failure to follow monitoring protocols, not the risk itself, making this option incorrect for the legal defense context.

Choice D reason: Malpractice involves negligence, such as failing to document hourly assessments for a high-risk client, leading to harm. This breach of standard care (1:1 observation) allowed self-harm, making the hospital liable for not adhering to protocols, requiring defense against malpractice for inadequate monitoring and documentation.

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The nurse is caring for a group of clients in the mental health outpatient clinic. Which client is most likely to be mandated by a criminal court for outpatient treatment?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse recognizes that the difference between a voluntary and an involuntary commitment is what?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The physician orders mefoxin (Cefoxitin) 800 mg IV Q 8 hours. To reconstitute the medications the instructions state to add 7.5 mL of NSS for a total of 8 mL with each mL containing 250 mg. How many millilitres will be given?

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The nurse asks the client, “What was it like for you when you first realized you had no place to go?” The client looks down and pauses for quite some time. Which action by the nurse is most therapeutic?

A nurse is assigned to administer oral medications to a client. Which action will the nurse do first if a client refuses to take prescribed oral medications?

A nurse working on a psychiatric unit receives a telephone call from a client’s employer requesting a copy of the client’s psychological evaluation results. Based on the nurse’s knowledge of breach of confidentiality, which response would be appropriate?

The nurse is receiving the morning report on four clients on a medical-surgical unit. Based on the information provided, which clients are at greatest risk for developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD)? (Select all that apply)

Which of the following is true regarding mental health and mental illness?