Author Question: You are a nurse working in a local jail. One of the guards informs you that a recent admission is a ... (Read 92 times)

stock · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

You are a nurse working in a local jail. One of the guards informs you that a recent admission is a middle-aged man accused of molesting a child and who has a psychiatric history. The guard suggests a psychiatric evaluation on this inmate.

Which of the following actions would be of top priority on your part? a. sorting out your feelings about child molestation before working with this client
b. asking this client if he has thought about killing himself
c. requesting the guard to keep an eye on the client until a psychiatrist comes to do the evaluation
d. complete routine work so you can spend a block of time doing a full assessment on this client

Question 2

A psychiatric nurse advocating for behavioral health system change would focus on which topic?

a. Abolishing the health maintenance organization (HMO) system
b. Strengthening current utilization review guidelines
c. Limiting consumer empowerment initiative options
d. Increasing resources for chronic care mental health services

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

Answer to Question 1

B
The priority action for the nurse would be to ask the client if he has thought about killing himself. The nurse must first identify whether there are suicidal thoughts. If the client acknowledges having suicidal thoughts, the nurse's next approach would be to determine if the individual has a plan and if he has the means to execute the plan. This information will help the nurse to determine lethality of a suicidal risk.

Answer to Question 2

D
Although gains have been made in medical treatment for behavioral illness, little attention has been given to preventive, rehabilitative, and chronic care services. This is a topic worthy of nursing advocacy.