Author Question: The African American patient has panic attacks, is suicidal, and is on an inpatient psychiatric ... (Read 23 times)

vinney12 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The African American patient has panic attacks, is suicidal, and is on an inpatient psychiatric unit. The psychiatrist orders sertraline (Zoloft) and clonazepam (Klonopin).

The patient refuses the drugs; he requests to have herbs and African objects in his room to remove the curse. What is the priority action by the nurse?
1. Allow the request without seeking further information from the patient.
2. Allow the request as long as the herbs and objects do not pose a safety risk for the patient or other patients.
3. Allow the request after the patient signs a release of responsibility to avoid litigation.
4. Allow the request after all members of the treatment team agree to it.

Question 2

A patient is diagnosed with cancer. The physician has recommended chemotherapy, which would likely save the patient's life. The patient tells the nurse, This is punishment from God for sins I have committed; some women at my church say so.

What will the best plan of the nurse include?
1. With the patient's permission, plan to involve a hospital minister to discuss the patient's perspective about cancer.
2. With the patient's permission, plan to bring the case before the hospital's board of ethics.
3. With the patient's permission, plan to contact the patient's minister to discuss the patient's perspective about cancer.
4. With the patient's permission, plan to meet with family members to discuss the patient's perspective about cancer.

momolu · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Nurses must grant ethnic requests as long as the request does not pose a safety risk to the patient or others. To allow an ethnic request without seeking further information about safety could jeopardize patient safety. There is no need for the patient to sign a release of responsibility to avoid litigation; if items pose a safety risk, they cannot be allowed on the unit. The treatment team does not need to agree to this request; the nurse can approve it as long as the items do not pose a safety risk.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: When patients have strong religious beliefs, these can affect the outcome of the illness. The nurse should involve the patient's religious leader when possible. Meeting with family might help; however, they may have the same perspective as the patient. Bringing the case before the hospital's board of ethics is premature at this point. Involving a hospital minister may be an option, but it is best to work through the patient's minister initially.