ATI LPN
Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition
Chapter 42 : Caring for Persons With Mental Illness and Criminal Behavior Questions
Question 1 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 2 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.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is performing an admission assessment on a forensic client. Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to include when explaining the purpose of the assessment to the client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Explaining that the assessment focuses on mental health and behavioral issues (
D) is most appropriate, as it clarifies the therapeutic purpose and avoids delving into crime details, which could bias care. Routine assessment (
A) is vague, discussing crime events (
C) is inappropriate, and option B is less specific.
Question 4 of 5
A group of nurses who have recently been hired to work in the mental health division of a large federal prison system are undergoing orientation. A nurse is discussing medication administration for the clients. Which statement would the nurse most likely include in this presentation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In a prison setting, if inmates refuse medications, a court order may be required to mandate compliance (
D), especially for mental health treatment in forensic clients. Dissolving medications (
A) or using injections (
C) to prevent cheeking is not standard practice, and inmates retain some rights to refuse (
B) unless a court order is obtained.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is discussing follow-up care with a forensic client who is being discharged the following week. The client asks the nurse what problems to expect regarding his follow-up care. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Forensic clients may face difficulty finding community providers due to safety and liability concerns (
D) stemming from their criminal history. No difficulty (
A) is overly optimistic, returning to the inpatient unit (
B) is not typical, and long waiting lists (
C) are less specific than safety concerns.