ATI LPN
Test Bank for Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice
Chapter 42 : Caring for Persons With Mental Illness and Criminal Behavior Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nursing instructor is explaining to a group of nursing students that in addition to facing the stigma associated with being mentally ill, forensic clients who are mentally ill also experience the stigma associated with being a criminal. One of the students asks the instructor how the stigma associated with criminality might influence nursing care. Which response by the instructor would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stigma associated with criminality can lead nurses to be reluctant to care for forensic clients due to unrealistic safety fears (
A). Option B is incorrect, as nurses do not typically deny mental illness in criminals. Option C misrepresents nurses? motivations, and option D focuses on post-discharge fears, which is less relevant to direct care.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is giving a public presentation on the topic of forensic psychiatric care at a community center in a community that is considering building a forensic facility. The nurse is explaining about how someone who is found to be unfit to stand trial is subsequently hospitalized in a forensic mental health facility. A member of the audience asks, 'What is the purpose of the hospitalization?' Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hospitalization for those unfit to stand trial aims to restore competency (
B) through treatment, enabling them to participate in their legal defense. Protective custody (
A) is not the primary goal, diagnosis (
C) is secondary, and holding for a trial date (
D) oversimplifies the purpose.
Question 3 of 5
A psychiatric nursing instructor is trying to explain to a group of students how clients identified as guilty but mentally ill (GBMI) and not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) differ. Which of the following would be most appropriate for the instructor to include in the discussion?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: NGRI clients are treated in a hospital setting with discharge determined by courts (
D), as their mental illness prevented criminal responsibility. GBMI clients (A,
C) are typically managed in correctional settings with parole oversight, not hospital discharge. NGRI clients are not discharged sooner (
B).
Question 4 of 5
When preparing the plan of care for a forensic client, a nurse determines not to investigate the details of the crime. Which of the following best supports the rationale for the nurse?s decision?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Avoiding crime details prevents the nurse?s attitudes about the crime from influencing care (
C), ensuring unbiased, therapeutic treatment. Fear (
A) and anxiety (
B) are less relevant, and boundaries (
D) are maintained through other professional practices, not just avoiding crime details.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse has just transferred from a general psychiatric unit to work on a forensic psychiatric unit. The nurse finds it easier to communicate with these clients because, for the most part, their inappropriate behaviors and cognitive disorders have responded positively to treatment. Many of the clients have been on the unit for 3 or more years, and the nurse has been unable to note any indicators of psychiatric problems in several of the clients. The nurse has grown exceptionally close to one client who has gone out of his way to make the nurse feel welcome and appreciated. One afternoon in December, the client asks the nurse for her address so he can send her a Christmas card. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Maintaining professional boundaries by stating the relationship is professional (
D) is the most appropriate response, preventing inappropriate personal interactions. Sharing the address (
A) violates boundaries, mentioning the crime (
B) is unprofessional, and suggesting future closeness (
C) blurs boundaries.