LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN PSYCHIATRIC NURSING

1. In response to a student's question regarding choosing a psychiatric specialty, a charge nurse states,
"Mentally ill clients need special care. If I were in that position, I'd want a caring nurse also." From
which ethical framework is the charge nurse operating?
a. Kantianism
b. Christian ethics
c. Ethical egoism
d. Utilitarianism
2. Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to an agitated
client. The nurse's co worker observes this action but does nothing for fear of repercussion. What is
the ethical interpretation of the co worker's lack of involvement?
a. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the co worker.
b. Taking no action releases the co worker from ethical responsibility.
c. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse consequences are foreseen.
d. Taking no action is acceptable because the co worker is only a bystander.
3. Which is an example of an intentional tort?
a. A nurse fails to assess a client's obvious symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
b. A nurse physically places an irritating client in four-point restraints.
c. A nurse makes a medication error and does not report the incident.
d. A nurse gives patient information to an unauthorized person.
4. Which statement should a nurse identify as correct regarding a client's right to refuse treatment?
a. Clients can refuse pharmacological but not psychological treatment.
b. Clients can refuse any treatment at any time
c. Clients can refuse only electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
d. Professionals can override treatment refusal if the client is actively suicidal or homicidal.
5. A psychiatric nurse working on an inpatient unit receives a call asking if an individual has been a
client in the facility. Which nursing response reflects appropriate legal and ethical obligations?
a. Refusing to give any information to the caller, citing rules of confidentiality
b. Refusing to give any information to the caller by hanging up
c. Affirming that the person has been seen at the facility but providing no further information
d. Suggesting that the caller speak to the client's therapist
6. Which situation reflects violation of ethical principle of veracity?
a. A nurse provides a client with outpatient resources to benefit recovery.
b. A nurse refuses to give information to a physician who is not responsible for the client's care.
c. A nurse tricks a client into seclusion by asking the client to carry linen to the seclusion room.
d. A nurse treats all of the clients equally regardless of illness severity.
7. Which of these is a right of mental health patients?
a. Confidentiality
b. Right to treatment
c. Informed consent
d. All of the above
8. What does the right to treatment entail?
a. Providing any kind of treatment
b. Providing treatment that has a reasonable chance to succeed
c. Providing treatment if the client is deserving of it
d. All of the above
9. Indian mental health act was derived from :
a. Mental health act of united nations of America
b. Mental health act of England and Wales
c. Mental health act of new Zealand
d. Mental health act of Australia
10. Indian mental health act 1987 was revised in :
 a. 1993
b. 2002
c. 2014
d. 2017
11. The mental health act 1987 contains
a. 10 chapters and 98 sections
b. 8 chapters and 100 sections
c. 12 chapters and 140 sections
d. 14 chapters and 104 sections
12. According to mental health act in India types of admission are :
a. On voluntary basis
b. Under reception order
c. In emergency conditions
d. All of the above
13. The Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act was passed in :
a. 1983
b. 1997
c. 1990
d. 1985
14. The Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act states that
a. if a person produces, possesses, transports, imports, sells, purchases or uses any narcotic drugs
or psychotropic substances (except 'Ganja') he shall be punishable with 10 years of jail and fine of
1 lakh rupees
b. On carrying' small quantities' e.g. Heroin - 250 mg, Opium - 5 gm, Cocaine - 125 mg, Charas - 5
gm, as were later specified in this act, the punishment may extend to 1 year or a fine or both. For
Ganja, (below 500gms),imprisonment is up to 6 months.
c. Both a and b
d. None of the above
15. The clinic nurse is teaching a client about the advance directive form that needs to be completed.
Which statement indicates that the client understands the information?
a. I will get this notarized as soon as I can
b. I will give a copy of this to my daughter, who is listed as my health care proxy
c. I'll put this on my refrigerator, so no one will give me cardiopulmonary resuscitation
d. You and my daughter can witness this for me
16. Which law in India has deemed the attempt to commit suicide is a punishable offence?
a. Section 309 of the IPC
b. Section 114 (b) of the IPC
c. Sections 328-339 of the IPC
d. Sections 41 of the IPC
17. The testamentary capacity of civil responsibilities states that :
a. The testator must be a major, free from coercion, understanding and displaying soundness of
mind.
b. A person affected by delusional disorder cannot make a valid will
c. A person with psychotic disorder can make a valid will
d. All of the above
18. M'Naghten rule is
a. The 'nature and quality rule' and 'right from wrong' test
b. The individual at the time of the crime did not know the nature and quality of the act
and if he did know what he was doing, he did not comprehend it to be wrong.
c. Both a and b
d. None of the above
19. Among the following , which one aspect mentioned in mental health care bill 2016 , that was not
listed earlier acts in India?
a. Right to fair treatment
b. Right to communicate
c. Advance directives
d. Right of will
20. As per mental health care bill 2016, all the mentally ill patients have following rights, except
a. Right to community living
b. Right to access to medical records
c. Right to information
d. Right to compulsory tonsuring