Author Question: A patient has been court-ordered to take his antipsychotic medications due to concerns that he will ... (Read 59 times)

casperchen82 · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A patient has been court-ordered to take his antipsychotic medications due to concerns that he will be a danger to himself. The nurse recognizes such action may be justified in which situations? Select all that apply.

1. To alleviate suffering
2. In an emergency situation
3. When in the patient's best interest
4. To foster the therapeutic relationship
5. To care a patient who cannot care for himself

Question 2

The patient with a history of schizophrenia presents in the emergency department with delusions, hallucinations, and unsafe behavior. The nurse learns the patient has completed an advance directive agreeing to hospitalization should decompensation occur.

How would the current admission be categorized?
1. Voluntary admission
2. Involuntary commitment
3. Temporary involuntary admission
4. Emergency involuntary admission

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

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 1, 2, 3, 5
Explanation: Ethical dilemmas may arise when patients in psychiatric settings refuse much needed treatment. Coercing treatment may be justified to alleviate suffering, in emergency situations, and when it is in the patient's interest to provide care when the patient cannot care for himself. Coercing treatment is unlikely to foster the therapeutic relationshipin fact, distrust is a likely outcome of forced treatment.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1
Explanation: Because the patient has a psychiatric advance directive, he is admitted as a voluntary admission. He is currently a danger to himself. If he did not have an advanced directive, he would be eligible to be admitted as an emergency involuntary patient. This case does not describe either temporary involuntary admission or an involuntary commitment.