Author Question: A patient, who is homeless and known to be schizophrenic, was arrested after vandalizing parked cars ... (Read 54 times)

geodog55 · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A patient, who is homeless and known to be schizophrenic, was arrested after vandalizing parked cars while naked. Which behaviors will be considered when determining if the patient should be involuntarily committed for care? Select all that apply.

a. The patient is a possible danger to others.
b. The patient is a diagnosed schizophrenic.
c. The patient is a disruptive factor to the community.
d. The patient is unable to provide for his or her own basic needs.
e. The patient is in need of either physical or mental health treatment.

Question 2

A biological theory to explain suicide may emerge from the finding in several studies that those who successfully commit suicide have:

a. atrophy of the brain on postmortem
b. serotonin in their bloodstream
c. abnormal electroencephalogra m (EEG) readings
d. low 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in body fluids

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

Answer to Question 1

A, D, E
The criteria for involuntary commitment include the following: the patient is dangerous to self or others, in need of physical and/or mental health treatment, and unable to provide for his or her own basic needs. One cannot be involuntarily committed based on being disruptive or for having a previous mental health diagnosis.

Answer to Question 2

D
A biological theory to explain suicide may emerge from findings in several studies that those who successfully commit suicide have low 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in body fluids. In general 5-HIAA levels in assayable body fluids are thought to reflect levels of brain serotonin, an important monoamine brain neurotransmitter. Serotonin is readily metabolized to 5-HIAA, which circulates in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Multiple studies suggest that a subset of suicide attempters and completers, perhaps particularly those who use violent means of self-destruction, have very low 5-HIAA. This would support the possibility that there was a low level of serotonin in the brain.