Final Exam: NR548/ NR 548 (Latest Update 2024/ 2025) Psychiatric Assessment for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Review |Weeks 7-8 Covered| Questions and Verified Answers| 100% Correct- Chamberlain

Final Exam: NR548/ NR 548 (Latest Update 2024/ 2025) Psychiatric Assessment for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Review |Weeks 7-8 Covered| Questions and Verified Answers| 100% Correct- Chamberlain

Final Exam: NR548/ NR 548 (Latest Update
2024/ 2025) Psychiatric Assessment for the
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Review |Weeks 7-8 Covered|
Questions and Verified Answers| 100%
Correct- Chamberlain
Q: In 2018, the American Psychiatric Association (APA), in conjunction with the American
Telemedicine Association (ATA) developed:
Answer:
best practices for providing videoconferencing-based telepsychiatric care
-guidelines inform the technical considerations and administrative requirements needed to
provide these services
Q: best practices for providing videoconferencing-based telepsychiatric care:
Answer:
-Use of a designated technology platform. Telesessions should not be conducted using alternate
platforms; however, an alternate plan, such as a telephone call, may be used in case of
technology failure.
-Provisions for the verification of confidential and secure client information.
-Sufficient bandwidth to provide clear, appropriate video and audio quality.
-Device compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
and state requirements.
Q: During telepsychiatry sessions, both the provider and client locations should be treated as a

---

Answer:
confidential space
Q: During telepsychiatry sessions, provisions must be taken to ensure:
Answer:
-the discussion cannot be overheard by other
-adequate lighting and ambiance is provided that is appropriate to the session
-place the camera so that the eyes and face of the participants are visible
Q: Telepsychiatry Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Best practices
Answer:
-Malpractice insurance
-Licensure requirements
-Federal and state prescribing guidelines
-Reimbursement
Q: Telepsychiatry Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Malpractice insurance
Answer:
Malpractice insurance is required and some policies require additional policies for telehealth.
Q: Telepsychiatry Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Licensure requirements
Answer:
Licensure requirements differ from in-person practice.
-Providers must hold a license to practice in the state where the client resides.
-The PMHNP is responsible for following standards for the state in which they are practicing.

Q: Telepsychiatry Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Federal and state prescribing
guidelines
Answer:
Federal and state prescribing guidelines differ for telepsychiatry.
-The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 governs the prescribing of
controlled substances via teleconferencing.

• To safely prescribe, the provider must conduct an in-person medical evaluation at least once
  every 24 months and comply with all federal and state prescribing guidelines.
  Q: Telepsychiatry Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Billing and Reimbursement
  Answer:
  -Reimbursement varies by state and insurance provider.
• Currently, 48 states provide Medicaid reimbursement for telepsychiatry services.
  -pt made aware of any and all financial charges that may arise from the services prior to the
  commencement of initial services
  Q: Best practices for determining the appropriateness of telepsychiatry services include
  consideration of the following:
  Answer:
  -cognitive capacity of the client
  -client history and medical status
  -geographic distance to emergency facilities
  -client support system
  Q: best practices related to special populations: Forensic and Correctional
  Answer:
  -follow applicable standards of consent in terms of client’s legal status and rights
  -develop clear, site-specific protocols
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Telepsychiatry
a provider administers psychiatric care from a distance through a technological interface
-a subset of telehealth
-telepsychiatric services

• psychiatric interview
• psychiatric evaluations
• therapy
• medication management
• consultation
• client education

The American Psychiatric Association (APA, 2020) supports telemedicine as a legitimate component of a mental health delivery system when telepsychiatry services:
-benefit the client
-maintain client autonomy, confidentiality, and privacy
-when used consistent with APA medical ethics policies and established telepsychiatry laws

Telepsychiatry services are provided in diverse settings, including:

• private practice
• outpatient clinics
• schools
• nursing homes
• correctional facilities
• military facilities

telepsychiatry services are delivered through:

• videoconferencing technology
• websites
• recorded medical information
• support or chat groups
• asynchronous client-provider interactions social media
• links to self-directed or assisted assessment

Benefits of telepsychiatry services:

• improved access to care
• reduced costs
• improved efficiency
• improved integration of care
• decreased emergency department visits
• fewer delays in care
• improved continuity of care
• reduction of transportation-associated barriers

Telepsychiatry _, , , and outcomes are comparable to in-person services.
validity, reliability, assessment, and treatment outcomes

most common modalities for providing telepsychiatric services is via ___________
videoconferencing technology

In 2018, the American Psychiatric Association (APA), in conjunction with the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) developed:
best practices for providing videoconferencing-based telepsychiatric care
-guidelines inform the technical considerations and administrative requirements needed to provide these services

best practices for providing videoconferencing-based telepsychiatric care:
-Use of a designated technology platform. Telesessions should not be conducted using alternate platforms; however, an alternate plan, such as a telephone call, may be used in case of technology failure.

-Provisions for the verification of confidential and secure client information.

-Sufficient bandwidth to provide clear, appropriate video and audio quality.

-Device compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and state requirements.

During telepsychiatry sessions, both the provider and client locations should be treated as a __
confidential space

During telepsychiatry sessions, provisions must be taken to ensure:
-the discussion cannot be overheard by other

-adequate lighting and ambiance is provided that is appropriate to the session

-place the camera so that the eyes and face of the participants are visible

Telepsychiatry Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Best practices
-Malpractice insurance
-Licensure requirements
-Federal and state prescribing guidelines
-Reimbursement

Telepsychiatry Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Malpractice insurance
Malpractice insurance is required and some policies require additional policies for telehealth.

Telepsychiatry Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Licensure requirements
Licensure requirements differ from in-person practice.
-Providers must hold a license to practice in the state where the client resides.
-The PMHNP is responsible for following standards for the state in which they are practicing.

Telepsychiatry Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Federal and state prescribing guidelines
Federal and state prescribing guidelines differ for telepsychiatry.
-The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 governs the prescribing of controlled substances via teleconferencing.

• To safely prescribe, the provider must conduct an in-person medical evaluation at least once every 24 months and comply with all federal and state prescribing guidelines.

Telepsychiatry Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Billing and Reimbursement
-Reimbursement varies by state and insurance provider.

• Currently, 48 states provide Medicaid reimbursement for telepsychiatry services.
  -pt made aware of any and all financial charges that may arise from the services prior to the commencement of initial services

Best practices for determining the appropriateness of telepsychiatry services include consideration of the following:
-cognitive capacity of the client
-client history and medical status
-geographic distance to emergency facilities
-client support system

best practices related to special populations: Forensic and Correctional
-follow applicable standards of consent in terms of client’s legal status and rights
-develop clear, site-specific protocols

Telemental health Children and Adolescents: environment
should facilitate the assessment by providing an adequate room size, furniture arrangement, toys, and activities that allow the youth to engage with the accompanying parent, presenter, and provider and demonstrate age-appropriate skills

best practices related to special populations: Children and Adolescents
follow the same guidelines presented for adults
•modify care based on developmental status (motor functioning, speech and language capabilities, relatedness, and relevant regulatory issues)
-include family as appropriate
-Providers should consider how the presenter’s involvement can affect service delivery
-Appropriateness for telemental care shall consider safety of the youth, the availability of supportive adults, the mental health status of those adults, and ability of the site to respond to any urgent or emergent situations.

best practices related to special populations: Geriatric
-include family as clinically appropriate
-adapt care for cognitive or sensory impairment

best practices related to special populations: Military and Veteran
-be familiar with federal and organizational structures and guidelines
-be familiar with military cultural competence

best practices related to special populations: Substance Use Disorder Treatment
-comply with federal, state, and local regulations related to prescribing controlled substances
-coordinate with on-site staff as appropriate to ensure care coordination and monitoring

best practices related to special populations: Inpatient and Residential Settings
-participate in administration and organizational meetings as appropriate
-optimize use of site-staff for consultation and care coordination

best practices related to special populations: Primary Care
leverage telepsychiatry to support integrated care

best practices related to special populations: Rural
be aware of impact of rural environments in relation to firearm ownership, kinship, and geographic barriers to care

Typically, the standard operating procedures (SOP) addresses:
roles, responsibilities, licensing, client identification, and systematic quality improvement.
-backup plan to address technical difficulties is frequently included

standard protocols to support telepsychiatry services: (4 steps)
Step 1: Confirm the name and credentials of provider and the name of the client.

Step 2: Identify the location of the client.

Step 3: Gather contact information for provider and client in case of interruption of session.

Step 4: Provide guidance for appropriate contact between sessions and review emergency management protocols for client.

-If client is in a location with clinical staff, the provider will inform staff of emergent situations
-If client is in another location, the provider may identify a support person to contact for potential emergencies.
-If the client requires emergency intervention in the community setting, the provider must coordinate with local emergency staff.

Telehealthcare
the use of telecommunications technology to remove time and distance barriers from the delivery of health care services and related health care activities
-Traditionally, the use of telehealth and tele-mental health care was designed to meet the needs of rural populations and geographic areas with identified shortages of specialty health care professionals

Forensic Mental Health Care
Any cross between the criminal justice system and psychiatric nursing can be considered forensic mental health
-64% of U.S. inmates have mental health concerns or disorders
-15% to 20% of inmates in jails and prisons suffer from serious mental illness
-Over 90% of federal inmates with mental health conditions are without access to mental health treatment

Informed Consent
Local, state, and national laws regarding verbal or written consent shall be followed
-If written consent is required, then electronic signatures, assuming these are allowed in the relevant jurisdiction, may be used
-The provider shall document the provision of consent in the medical record

Clinically unsupervised settings
-Providers should discuss the importance of having consistency in where the patient is located for sessions
-knowing a patient’s location at the time of care, as it impacts emergency management and local available resources

• As patients change locations, providers shall be aware of the impact of location on emergency management protocols (police, emergency rooms, crisis teams)
  -provider should consider the use of a “Patient Support Person” (PSP) as clinically indicated
• a family, friend or community member selected by the patient who could be called upon for support in the case of an emergency

If a patient and/or a PSP will not cooperate in his or her own emergency management:
providers shall be prepared to work with local emergency personnel in case the patient needs emergency services and/or involuntary hospitalization.

Care Coordination
With consent from the patient and in accordance with privacy guidelines, telemental health providers should arrange for appropriate and regular communication with other professionals and organizations involved in the care of the patient.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: VIDEOCONFERENCING PLATFORM REQUIREMENTS
should select video conferencing applications that have the appropriate verification, confidentiality, and security parameters necessary to be properly utilized for this purpose
-event of a technology breakdown, causing a disruption of the session, the professional shall have a backup plan in place (telephone access)
-services at a bandwidth and with sufficient resolutions to ensure the quality of the image and/or audio received is appropriate to the services being delivered

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: security issues
-policies and procedures in place to ensure the physical security of telehealth equipment and the electronic security of data
-Organizations shall ensure compliance with all relevant safety laws, regulations, and codes for technology and technical safety
-HIPAA and state privacy requirements shall be followed at all times to protect patient privacy
-mental health and substance use disorder services are afforded a higher degree of patients’ rights as well as organizational responsibilities (e.g., need for specific consent from patients to release information around substance use)

telemental health PHYSICAL LOCATION/ROOM REQUIREMENTS
-both locations shall be considered a patient examination room regardless of a room’s intended use
-Providers shall ensure privacy so clinical discussion cannot be overheard by others outside of the room
-patient and provider cameras should be placed at the same elevation as the eyes with the face clearly visible to the other person
-features of the physical environment for both shall be adjusted so the physical space, to the degree possible, maximizes lighting, comfort and ambiance

Child & Adolescent Telepsychiatry: Legal and Regulatory Issues
-Many states require guardian consent, written and/or verbal, for telepsychiatry services in addition to the usual consent for care
-reporting requirements may vary by jurisdiction and ensure that relevant personnel at the distant (provider location) and originating (patient location) sites are informed of reporting requirements for youth
-Telepsychiatrists should comply with the AACAP Code of Ethics
-absence of a comprehensive policy for delivering telemedicine services, individual states have proposed legislation to expand services:

• reimbursing for school-based telepsychiatry services
• repealing laws that mandate minimum distance requirements between distant and originating sites in order to receive reimbursement

Child & Adolescent Telepsychiatry: Patient Safety
-·Psychiatrists telecommuting to any setting must consider whether appropriate emergency management protocols are in place and develop any needed protocols.
-utilizes the local community’s emergency resources
-Telesychiatrists managing emergencies must rely on a team of individuals
-· need to be able to effectively manipulate telepsychiatry technology in order to maximize video and audio quality to optimally assess signs of agitation, substance use, and medication side effects.

• If technology falters, psychiatrists should be prepared to quickly initiate a pre-planned backup emergency management plan.

The Ryan Haight Online Consumer Pharmacy Protection Act of 2008
impacts the legitimate practice of child and adolescent telepsychiatry.
-requirement for the initial in-person evaluation is a major barrier for telepsychiatry with youth and the exceptions to this requirement are narrow and do not apply to many telepsychiatry applications.

The Ryan Haight Act is relevant to the increasing trend towards:
direct-to-consumer telepsychiatry as the home setting is not an approved site of service for prescribing controlled substances.

Child & Adolescent Telepsychiatry: Developing a Virtual Therapeutic Space
-starts with the rooms at both the patient’s and psychiatrist’s sites
-rooms should be set up to establish a typical clinical experience
-psychiatrist’s room should be conservatively appointed both to facilitate the camera’s focus and to not distract the patient
-patient’s room should be of appropriate size to optimally conduct a mental status examination

• including observation of gross motor and fine motor skills, affect and relatedness

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
provides a legal framework for handling client information
-HIPAA rules help protect the privacy of the client’s identifiable health information while facilitating communication among providers and other entities

• ensure information is available for treatment and other purposes such as insurance benefits
  -health professionals may be held legally liable by state and federal law for breaching confidentiality

Release of Information
-HIPAA guides the PMHNP in making decisions about when to share information based on their professional judgment to prevent harm

• may be necessary for providers to share mental and behavioral health information to enhance treatment or ensure the health and safety of the client and others
  -PMHNPs are mandatory reporters in cases of suspected child abuse

Duty to Warn
exception to requirements for confidentiality
-Most states have laws that allow mental health professionals to share information about clients who may become violent
-several states, it is even mandatory for providers to report when clients may pose a danger to themselves or others

John is a 36-year-old with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. He lives with his mother. His symptoms are currently well managed by medications; however, he sometimes forgets to take them. At the visit with the PMHNP, John asks the PMHNP to go over his medication regimen with his mother.
Is this allowed under HIPAA?
Yes

Rationale: In situations where the client is given the opportunity and does not object, HIPAA allows the provider to share or discuss the client’s mental health information with family members or other persons involved in the client’s care or payment for care.

John’s sister calls the PMHNP to discuss her concerns that John is under a lot of stress and may be showing signs of psychosis. John has not permitted the PMHNP to speak with his sister as they are estranged, and John has asked the PMHNP not to share information.
Is it acceptable for the PMHNP to share information about John’s status with his sister?
No

Rationale: The HIPAA Privacy Rule permits a health care provider to disclose information to the family members of an adult client who has the capacity and indicates that he or she does not want the disclosure made, only to the extent that the provider perceives a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of the client or others and the family members are in a position to lessen the threat. Otherwise, under HIPAA, the provider must respect the wishes of the adult client who objects to the disclosure.

Is it permissible for the PMHNP to listen to the sister’s concerns without sharing information?
Yes

Rationale: HIPAA in no way prevents health care providers from listening to family members or other caregivers who may have concerns about the health.

John’s mother recently had a stroke and is in the neuro intensive care unit (ICU). With his mother out of the home, John has forgotten to take his medications for over a week. He begins to experience hallucinations and paranoia. At his appointment with the PMHNP, he threatens to harm his sister.
To whom should the PMHNP disclose this information (select all that apply):

-John’s sister
-John’s mother’s nurse in the neuro ICU
-Law enforcement near the sister’s home
-A social worker from the Board of Developmental Disabilities who has been working with the family
-John’s sister
-Law enforcement near the sister’s home
-A social worker from the Board of Developmental Disabilities who has been working with the family

Rationale: The Privacy Rule permits a health care provider to disclose necessary information about a client to law enforcement, family members of the client, or other persons when the provider believes the client presents a serious and imminent threat to self or others. Specifically, when a health care provider believes in good faith that such a warning is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of the client or others, the Privacy Rule allows the provider, consistent with applicable law and standards of ethical conduct, to alert those persons whom the provider believes are reasonably able to prevent or lessen the threat.

Informed Consent
for care and treatment is a fundamental ethical and legal principle
-respects the client’s autonomy in medical decision-making
-Clients have the right to receive information and ask questions about recommended treatments so they can make decisions about their care that are consistent with their beliefs, values, and goals of treatment
-Clients have the right to knowledge about their treatment under “reasonable practitioner” or “reasonable person” standards under U. S. law.
-may change over time and in different circumstances

• is an ongoing process

Steps to Obtaining Informed Consent
-Assess client ability to understand medical information & tx options & to make a voluntary decision

-Present relevant information with accuracy and sensitivity, Should include information about:

• Diagnosis
• Nature and purpose of treatment options
• Benefits, risks, and burdens of all treatment options, including forgoing treatment

-Document informed consent conversation in the medical record, including all consent forms

Informed Consent: Documentation
Documentation of the discussion to obtain informed consent should include:
-treatment plans with risks and benefits identified
-reasonable alternatives with risks and benefits identified
-assessment of client understanding of the discussion

*must demonstrate that the client participated in the decision-making process and that the client was not coerced into treatment

Exceptions to Informed Consent:
-client incapacitation
-life-threatening emergencies
-voluntary waived consent
-client unable to make decisions and has no designated decision-maker
-involuntary treatment

A client who is alert and oriented declines the PMHNP’s treatment recommendation for an antipsychotic in a non-emergent situation:

Informed consent required
Exception to informed consent
Informed consent required

Rationale: The client has the capacity to consent and the situation is not emergent. The ethic of autonomy provides for the client to refuse treatment options.

An agitated, hallucinating client with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and no designated decision-maker threatens to shoot his neighbors. The client acts out violently towards the security guard in the emergency department. The PMHNP orders haloperidol and lorazepam for the client.

Informed consent required
Exception to informed consent
Exception to informed consent

Rationale: The client does not have the capacity to provide consent.

A very anxious client is seeking treatment for anxiety symptoms. When the PMHNP begins to explain the treatment options, the client says she is too anxious to hear them and asks that the PMHNP select the best option.

Informed consent required
Exception to informed consent
Exception to informed consent

Rationale: clients may choose to waive their right to informed consent.

A client with depression is unhappy about the performance of the anti-depressant that has been prescribed and would like to discuss alternate treatment options with the PMHNP.

Informed consent required
Exception to informed consent
Informed consent required

Rationale: Clients have a right to information about treatment options with associated risks and benefits.

__________, or ______, are treated differently than other types of mental health information and receive special protections under HIPAA
Psychotherapy notes, or process notes

-HIPAA Privacy Rule requires that clients provide authorization, using a HIPAA-compliant authorization form, before the disclosure of the notes for any reason
-Providers are not required to provide their psychotherapy notes to the client.

psychotherapy notes definition
“notes recorded (in any medium) by a health care provider who is a mental health professional documenting or analyzing the contents of conversation during a private counseling session or a group, joint, or family counseling session and that are separated from the rest of the individual’s medical record”

Must the PMHNP release a client’s medical record to a client’s insurer?
Yes

Must the PMHNP release psychotherapy notes to the client?
No

Must the PMHNP release medical records to the court with a subpoena?
Yes with client authorization

Must the PMHNP release medical records to the client?
Yes

Must the PMHNP release psychotherapy notes to another provider?
No

Types of development the PMHNP should consider include:
cognitive and psychosocial development

_____ theory regarding human needs may also inform the PMHNP’s approach to psychiatric interviewing.
Abraham Maslow’s

Piaget’s cognitive stage: Sensorimotor

• 0-2 years of age
• cognitive abilities based on reflexes
• children master object permanence and causality

Cognitive Development: Piaget’s cognitive stages
-Sensorimotor
-Preoperational
-Concrete Operational
-Formal Operational

Piaget’s cognitive stage: Preoperational

• 2-7 years of age
• child can use mental representations, symbolic thought, and language
• thinking is egocentric

Piaget’s cognitive stage: Concrete Operational

• 7-11 years of age
• child uses logical operations when thinking and solving problems
• thinking is concrete

Piaget’s cognitive stage: Formal Operational

• 12 years and older
• adolescent can use abstract reasoning in addition to logical operations
• can understand theories, hypothesize, and comprehend abstract ideas such as love and justice

Psychosocial Development: Erikson’s developmental theory
individuals go through a series of eight stages of psychosocial development from birth to death
-each stage, individuals must resolve a psychosocial crisis to move to the next stage

• Unsuccessful resolution could impair the development of a healthy personality and sense of self, which could negatively impact mental health and relationships

Erikson’s psychosocial stages
-Infancy: Trust vs. Mistrust (birth-18 months)

-Early Childhood: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (ages 18 months-2 to 3 years)

-Preschool: Initiative vs. Guilt (ages 3-5)

-School Age: Industry vs. Inferiority (ages 6-11)

-Adolescence: Identity vs. Role Confusion (ages 12-18)

-Young Adulthood: Intimacy vs. Isolation (ages 19-40)

-Middle Adulthood: Generativity vs. Stagnation (ages 40-65)

-Maturity: Integrity vs. Despair (ages 65-death)

Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
motivational theory that examines people’s behavior as it relates to five categories of needs
-Needs arranged in a pyramid, most basic needs at the foundation:

• self-actualization (top of pyramid)
• esteem
• love/social needs
• safety
• physiological (bottom of pyramid)

Which theory would the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) most need to consider when conducting a psychiatric interview in the following situations?
A 35-year-old homeless client is in the emergency department with suicidal ideations.

Hierarchy of Needs Theory
Psychosocial Development Theory
Cognitive development Theory
Hierarchy of Needs Theory

Rationale: To attend to higher-level needs, a client must first meet foundational needs. A homeless client may be struggling to meet physiological and safety needs.

Which theory would the PMHNP most need to consider when conducting a psychiatric interview in the following situations?
A 14-year-old foster child struggling to develop trusting relationships with his foster parents.

Hierarchy of Needs Theory
Psychosocial Development Theory
Cognitive development Theory
Psychosocial Development Theory

Rationale: According to Erickson’s theory, a developmental crisis in infancy trust vs. mistrust. When basic trust in caregivers is not developed in early life, it can impact the creation of trusting relationships later.

Which theory would the PMHNP most need to consider when conducting a psychiatric interview in the following situations?
A 4-year-old is struggling to understand what she has seen on television about civil protests.

Hierarchy of Needs Theory
Psychosocial Development Theory
Cognitive development Theory
Cognitive development Theory

Rationale: According to Piaget, children in early childhood do not have the cognitive ability to understand abstract concepts, such as justice.

Special Considerations: Children
-Legislation regarding minors and informed consent is based on state law

• be familiar with the req in state of practice
• Children under 17 typically cannot provide informed consent
  -Parents must give permission for tx in most circumstances, exceptions:
• under 18 and married
• serving in the military
• able to provide financial independence
• mother of a child (married or not)

-A parent may not be allowed to access info. in the following circumstances:

• info. is contained in the therapist’s psychotherapy notes
• parent not designated as the child’s personal representative
• parent voluntarily agrees that info can be kept confidential
• provider has a reasonable belief that abuse or neglect exists or parent is a danger to the child
• provider believes it is not in the child’s best interest to treat the parent as the child’s representative

Interviewing children and adolescents
-PMHNP may need to speak with family members separately from the child to gain additional information about the child’s mental health concern
-Family issues and family dynamics often play a role in the child’s or adolescent’s psychiatric disorder
-Common topics to cover in an adolescent interview include:

• interests
• school and activities
• drug and alcohol use
• sexual activity
• conduct problems

In which of these situations would it be appropriate to share a child or adolescent’s protected health information with a parent?
A 12-year-old who has designated the parent to be the personal representative in a state allowing adolescents to consent to their treatment.

Appropriate
Inappropriate
Appropriate

Rationale: In states where consent to treat is required and the child has indicated that the parent should be the personal representative, it would be appropriate to share the information so long as the PMHNP does not suspect abuse, neglect, or that sharing would not be in the child’s best interests.

In which of these situations would it be appropriate to share a child or adolescent’s protected health information with a parent?
A 17-year-old on active duty in the Navy.

Appropriate
Inappropriate
Inappropriate

Rationale: Under most state laws, an adolescent serving in the military would be considered emancipated, therefore, the parent would not have the right to view the records without the adolescent’s permission.

In which of these situations would it be appropriate to share a child or adolescent’s protected health information with a parent?
A parent requesting to see the therapist’s psychotherapy notes from sessions with a 6-year-old child.

Appropriate
Inappropriate
Inappropriate

Rationale: Parents and clients do not have a right to view a therapist’s private psychotherapy notes.

Special Considerations: Older Adults
When conducting a psychiatric interview with an older adult, the PMHNP must consider the following:
-developmental issues of older adulthood
-generational perspectives and beliefs
-comorbid physical illness
-polypharmacy
-cognitive or sensory impairments
-history of physical/mental disorders

Sociocultural factors that may influence the experience and expression of health and of psychological problems in later life
gender
race
ethnicity
socioeconomic status
sexual orientation
disability status
urban/rural residence

Older adults: changes that impact cognitive functioning
-Sensory deficits, especially vision and hearing
-Physical health
-Poverty
-Medications
-Active use of information processing strategies
-Lifestyle factors
-Neurodegenerative conditions

Stereotypes about Older Adults may include:
Older adults have dementia
Older adults have high rates of mental illness such as depression
Older adults are not productive in the workplace
Older adults are ill and frail
Older adults are socially isolated
Older adults have no interest in sex/intimacy
Older adults are stubborn and inflexible
Older adults are “cute” or “childlike”

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
A federal law that governs student confidentiality in schools.
-requires that schools not divulge, reveal or share any personally identifiable information about a student or his/her family, unless it is with another school employee who needs the information to work with the student.