Author Question: A community mental health nurse is assigned to investigate the frequent school absences of an ... (Read 31 times)

lracut11 · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A community mental health nurse is assigned to investigate the frequent school absences of an 11-year-old child. The nurse finds the child home alone, caring for his 1- and 3-year-old siblings.

The house is cluttered and dirty, and both parents are at work. The child tells the nurse that whenever his mother is called to work at her part-time job, he must watch the kids because the family cannot afford a babysitter. Based on the information obtained thus far, what preliminary assessment can be made? a. The child is coping well with a difficult situation.
b. The child and his siblings are experiencing neglect.
c. The children are at high risk for sexual abuse.
d. The children are experiencing physical abuse.

Question 2

The psychiatric forensic nurse assigned to a hostage negotiation tactical team is deployed along with the team when a man takes several hostages. The nurse's role within the team would include which tasks? Select all that apply.

a. Negotiating directly with the perpetrator
b. Directing strategies for police deployment
c. Training officers in communication skills
d. Assessing the mental status of the perpetrator
e. Serving as a liaison to mental health agencies
f. Suggesting negotiation techniques to a negotiator

kjohnson · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
The child is experiencing educational neglect when his parents deprive him of the opportunity to attend school. It is possible that the other children may be experiencing physical neglect, but more data should be gathered before making the actual assessment. There is insufficient information to conclude that the child is managing the situation well. The data do not indicate a high risk for sexual abuse, and no hard evidence of physical abuse is present.

Answer to Question 2

C, D, E, F
The forensic nurse assigned to a hostage tactical team serves to assist the team and provide them with clinical information and assessments consistent with her training and experience. This nurse does not negotiate with the perpetrator or direct the actions of the police officers. Assistance can include assessing the perpetrator, assisting the freed hostages, educating police officers on mental healthrelated topics, assessing the stress level of the negotiator, suggesting techniques that might be appropriate (particularly when the perpetrator is mentally compromised), and serving as a go-between with local mental health agencies.