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.
