Therapeutic Comm Q 40
On review of the patient’s record, the nurse notes the admission was voluntary. Based on this information, the nurse anticipates which patient’s behavior?
A. Fearfulness regarding treatment measures.
B. Anger and aggressiveness directed toward others.
C. An understanding of the pathology and symptoms of the diagnosis.
D. A willingness to participate in the planning of the care and treatment plan.
Correct Answer: D. A willingness to participate in the planning of the care and treatment plan.
In general, patients seek voluntary admission. If a patient seeks voluntary admission, the most likely expectation is the patient will participate in the treatment program since they are actively seeking help. Voluntary admission to an acute inpatient psychiatric hospital occurs when a person goes for psychiatric evaluation and the evaluating mental health provider and patient agree that the patient would benefit from hospitalization and meets criteria for hospitalization.
Option A: Fearfulness is characteristic of involuntary admission. Involuntary admission to an acute inpatient psychiatric hospital occurs when the patient does not agree to hospitalization on a locked inpatient psychiatric unit, but a mental health professional evaluates the patient and believes that, as a result of mental illness, the patient is at risk of harming self or others, or is unable to care for self.
Option B: The remaining option is not characteristic of this type of admission. Anger and aggressiveness are more characteristic of involuntary admission. Involuntary admissions to psychiatric hospitals, regardless of their beneficial effects, violate the patients’ autonomy. To keep such measures at a minimum and develop less restricting and coercive alternatives, a better understanding of the psychiatric emergency situations which end up in involuntary admissions is needed.
Option C: Voluntary admission does not guarantee a patient’s understanding of their illness, only of their desire for help. A mental health professional will evaluate an individual who goes to one of the above facilities and will determine whether the patient is appropriate for an inpatient psychiatric unit.