DAVIS ADVANTAGE FOR PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH
NURSINGQUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nursing student asked the charge nurse on the psychiatric unit why she chose
psychiatric-mental health nursing. The charge nurse replied, "Mentally ill clients need
special care. If I were in that position, I'd want a caring nurse also." The charge nurse's
choice reflects which ethical framework?
1. Kantianism
2. Christian ethics
3. Ethical egoism
4. Utilitarianism - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅2. This is correct. The charge nurse is operating from a
Christian ethics framework. A
basic principle in Christian ethics is to "do unto others as you would have them do
unto you."
2. Which response by a nursing applicant during a hiring interview indicates that the
applicant operates from an ethical egoism framework?
1. "I would want to be treated in a caring manner if I were mentally ill."
2. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for me."
3. "I will be happy caring for the mentally ill. Lifting clients hurts my back."
4. "It is my duty in life to be a psychiatric-mental health nurse because it's the right
thing to do." - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅2. This is correct. An ethical egoism framework promotes the idea
that decisions are
based on what is good for the individual and may not take the needs of others into
account.
3. Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to an
agitated client. The nurse's coworker observes this action but does nothing for fear of
repercussion. What is the ethical interpretation of the coworker's lack of involvement?
1. Taking no action is still considered an action by the coworker.
, 2. Taking no action is releasing the coworker from ethical responsibility.
3. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse consequences are foreseen.
4. Taking no action is acceptable, because the coworker is a bystander. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅1. This
is correct. The coworker's lack of involvement can be interpreted as an action
taken.
4. Group therapy is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, on an inpatient psychiatric
unit. The unit manager's policy is that clients can make a choice about whether to attend
group therapy. Which ethical principle does the unit manager's policy preserve?
1. Justice
2. Autonomy
3. Veracity
4. Beneficence - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅2. This is correct. The unit manager's policy represents the
ethical principle of
autonomy, which presumes individuals are capable of making independent decisions
for themselves. All health-care workers must respect such decisions
5. Which is an example of an intentional tort?
1. A nurse fails to assess a client with rigid muscles and an elevated temperature.
2. A nurse physically places a client in restraints without the client's consent.
3. A nurse makes a medication error and does not report the incident.
4. A nurse gives confidential client information to an unauthorized person. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅2.
This is correct. A tort is a violation of civil law in which an individual has been
wronged, and this can be intentional or unintentional. By physically touching the
client while applying restraints without consent, the nurse committed an intentional
tort. Malpractice and negligence action are examples of unintentional torts.
6. An involuntarily committed client is verbally abusive to the staff and repeatedly
threatens to sue. The client records the full names and phone numbers of the staff.
Which nursing action is most appropriate to decrease the possibility of a lawsuit?
NURSINGQUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nursing student asked the charge nurse on the psychiatric unit why she chose
psychiatric-mental health nursing. The charge nurse replied, "Mentally ill clients need
special care. If I were in that position, I'd want a caring nurse also." The charge nurse's
choice reflects which ethical framework?
1. Kantianism
2. Christian ethics
3. Ethical egoism
4. Utilitarianism - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅2. This is correct. The charge nurse is operating from a
Christian ethics framework. A
basic principle in Christian ethics is to "do unto others as you would have them do
unto you."
2. Which response by a nursing applicant during a hiring interview indicates that the
applicant operates from an ethical egoism framework?
1. "I would want to be treated in a caring manner if I were mentally ill."
2. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for me."
3. "I will be happy caring for the mentally ill. Lifting clients hurts my back."
4. "It is my duty in life to be a psychiatric-mental health nurse because it's the right
thing to do." - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅2. This is correct. An ethical egoism framework promotes the idea
that decisions are
based on what is good for the individual and may not take the needs of others into
account.
3. Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to an
agitated client. The nurse's coworker observes this action but does nothing for fear of
repercussion. What is the ethical interpretation of the coworker's lack of involvement?
1. Taking no action is still considered an action by the coworker.
, 2. Taking no action is releasing the coworker from ethical responsibility.
3. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse consequences are foreseen.
4. Taking no action is acceptable, because the coworker is a bystander. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅1. This
is correct. The coworker's lack of involvement can be interpreted as an action
taken.
4. Group therapy is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, on an inpatient psychiatric
unit. The unit manager's policy is that clients can make a choice about whether to attend
group therapy. Which ethical principle does the unit manager's policy preserve?
1. Justice
2. Autonomy
3. Veracity
4. Beneficence - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅2. This is correct. The unit manager's policy represents the
ethical principle of
autonomy, which presumes individuals are capable of making independent decisions
for themselves. All health-care workers must respect such decisions
5. Which is an example of an intentional tort?
1. A nurse fails to assess a client with rigid muscles and an elevated temperature.
2. A nurse physically places a client in restraints without the client's consent.
3. A nurse makes a medication error and does not report the incident.
4. A nurse gives confidential client information to an unauthorized person. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅2.
This is correct. A tort is a violation of civil law in which an individual has been
wronged, and this can be intentional or unintentional. By physically touching the
client while applying restraints without consent, the nurse committed an intentional
tort. Malpractice and negligence action are examples of unintentional torts.
6. An involuntarily committed client is verbally abusive to the staff and repeatedly
threatens to sue. The client records the full names and phone numbers of the staff.
Which nursing action is most appropriate to decrease the possibility of a lawsuit?
