Author Question: An adult with serious mental illness is being admitted to a community behavioral health inpatient ... (Read 55 times)

jc611 · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

An adult with serious mental illness is being admitted to a community behavioral health inpatient unit. Recognizing current trends in hospitalization, this patient is likely to

a. comply readily with the prescribed treatment.
b. have a clear understanding of the illness.
c. display aggressive behavior.
d. stabilize within 24 hours.

Question 2

A patient tells the nurse, I still have suicidal thoughts, but don't tell anyone because I am supposed to be discharged today. Select the nurse's best course of action.

a. Have the patient sign a no suicide contract.
b. Respect the patient's request related to confidentiality.
c. Inform the health care provider and other team members.
d. Search the patient's belongings for potentially hazardous items.

Tonny · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Compared with patients of the 1960s and 1970s, today's patients are likely to display more aggressive behavior. This understanding is critical to making astute assessments that lead to planning for the provision of safety for patients and staff. Treatment compliance, understanding of the illness process, and discharge against medical advice are possible issues with which the nurse might deal, but these are less relevant when admission assessment is performed.

Answer to Question 2

C
Patient right to confidentiality never includes keeping important clinical information secret, especially information related to patient safety. Patients should be informed that all relevant information will be shared with the health care team. None of the other options sufficiently address the safety issue presented by a patient who expresses suicidal thoughts.