A client with a diagnosis of depression has been admitted to the ...

[theo]

A client with a diagnosis of depression has been admitted to the health care facility. From a legal standpoint, clients hospitalized as voluntary admissions differ from other types of admissions in which of the following ways?
 
  A) They can dictate their own plan of care independently.
  B) They are considered legally competent.
  C) They are considered a danger to themselves or others.
  D) They cannot refuse treatment.

Question 2

A physician would like to include a client with schizophrenia in a research study testing a new medication. What is the nurse's primary obligation in this situation?
 
  A) Ensure the client knows what he or she is agreeing to when providing consent.
  B) Help the client with revoking consent once the study has started.
  C) Obtain informed consent when the primary provider cannot be present.
  D) Persuade the client to consent, because the new drug has shown promising results.

[akudia]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: B
Feedback:
Voluntary clients have certain rights that differ from those of other hospitalized clients. Specifically, they are considered competent (unless otherwise adjudicated) and therefore have the absolute right to refuse treatment, including psychotropic medications, unless they are dangerous to themselves or others, as in a violent destructive episode within the treatment unit. Though client preferences are always considered, these clients cannot dictate their plan of care without input from the care team.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: A
Feedback:
The nurse serves as the client's advocate, the team's colleague, and the facility's excellent employee by continually evaluating the client's ability to give informed consent and his or her willingness to participate and continue with a treatment modality. Unless serving as the primary provider, the nurse is not responsible for obtaining informed consent: that is the role of the primary provider or researcher.

[theo]

Excellent

[aliotak]

TYSM