A voluntarily hospitalized patient tells the nurse, "Get me the forms for discharge. I want to leave now." Select the nurse's best response.
"Since you signed your consent for treatment, you may leave if you desire."
"I cannot give you those forms without your health care provider's permission."
"I will get them for you, but first let's talk about your decision to leave treatment."
"I will get the forms for you right now and bring them to your room."
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: While a voluntary patient has the right to request discharge, the nurse has a professional obligation to ensure the patient is safe and understands the implications of leaving. Simply allowing them to walk out without a clinical assessment of their current mental status or safety risk is a failure in the nursing duty of care.
Choice B reason: This statement is technically incorrect and misleading. In most jurisdictions, a voluntary patient has a legal right to initiate the discharge process by signing a formal request. While the healthcare provider must be notified and will ultimately sign the discharge order, the nurse cannot flatly deny the patient the necessary legal forms.
Choice C reason: This is the most therapeutic response because it acknowledges the patient's legal right to the forms while also initiating a dialogue. It allows the nurse to assess the patient's reasons for wanting to leave, evaluate any immediate risks to self or others, and potentially resolve any issues that are causing the patient's dissatisfaction.
Choice D reason: Immediately bringing the forms without any further conversation misses a critical opportunity for clinical assessment. The patient may be experiencing a temporary spike in anxiety or a misunderstanding of their treatment plan. The nurse should always attempt to de-escalate and explore the patient's motivations before proceeding with a formal discharge request.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Avoiding the issue allows the patient's hygiene to deteriorate further, which can lead to skin breakdown or infections. While minimizing stress is important, neglecting physical care in a patient with psychomotor retardation is a failure to meet basic physiological needs that the patient currently cannot meet.
Choice B reason: Simply telling a patient with severe depression and psychomotor retardation that they "must" bathe is often ineffective. These patients frequently lack the physical energy or cognitive drive to initiate complex tasks. Such demands may increase feelings of inadequacy or worthlessness without providing the necessary support.
Choice C reason: Bringing a personal hygiene issue to a community meeting is a violation of the patient's privacy and dignity. It can cause significant embarrassment and shame, potentially worsening the patient's depressive symptoms and damaging the therapeutic alliance between the nurse and the patient.
Choice D reason: Patients with severe psychomotor retardation require direct assistance because they lack the volition to perform ADLs. A firm, neutral, and supportive approach provides the necessary structure and physical help to maintain hygiene and self-respect without being punitive or overly demanding, ensuring the patient's safety.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Patients with restrictive eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, frequently exhibit dry, flaky skin (xerosis) due to severe malnutrition and dehydration. The body lacks the essential fatty acids and hydration necessary to maintain the skin barrier, and a lowered metabolic rate reduces the production of natural skin oils.
Choice B reason: Malnutrition typically causes hair to become thin, brittle, and prone to falling out (alopecia) rather than coarse. Additionally, many patients develop lanugo, which is a fine, downy hair on the face and body, as a physiological response to preserve body heat in the absence of subcutaneous fat.
Choice C reason: Fever is an indication of infection or inflammation. In contrast, patients with severe eating disorders often present with hypothermia (low body temperature) because the body lacks the caloric energy and adipose tissue needed to generate and retain heat, leading to cold intolerance and a low basal metabolic rate.
Choice D reason: Hypertension (high blood pressure) is not expected in this population. Malnutrition and fluid restriction generally lead to hypotension (low blood pressure) and bradycardia (slow heart rate) as the heart muscle weakens and the body enters a state of energy conservation to protect vital organs during prolonged starvation.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.