The psychiatric forensic nurse has been asked by the defendant's ...

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The psychiatric forensic nurse has been asked by the defendant's lawyer to determine the client's
  legal sanity. The priority task of the nurse will be to
 
  a. determine whether the defendant understands the legal charges and is capable of
  assisting in his own defense.
  b. reconstruct the defendant's mental state at the time of the crime.
  c. presents a danger to self or others in the immediate future.
  d. determine whether a crime has been committed.

Question 2

The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client with a long history of schizophrenia
  whose chief complaint is sores on her legs.
 
  As the nurse takes the history, the client gives vague
  answers to questions about eating and sleeping habits and activities of daily living. The nurse notes
  that the client's personal hygiene is poor and that she has a large canvas duffle bag with her. The
  nurse wonders if the client is a homeless person. The nurse should
  a. ask if the client has someone with her that the nurse might speak to.
  b. ask the client during the mental status examination to state her address.
  c. avoid mentioning the topic because it is not relevant to treatment of a physical
  problem.
  d. ask the client directly about her living arrangements.

[bigsis44]

Answer to Question 1

B
Legal sanity is determined for the specific time of the alleged crime; thus reconstructing the
defendant's mental state at the time of the alleged crime is essential to making the determination.
Option A: This refers to competence to proceed. Option C is an assessment dealing with the future
and is separate from determination of legal sanity. Option D is not associated with determination of
legal sanity.

Answer to Question 2

D
The topic of homelessness should be approached directly. Homelessness affects planning for
aftercare because the client's ability to carry out prescribed measures may be severely compromised.
The individual living on the street will find it difficult to obtain even minimal resources for the care
of the leg ulcers.