Suppose a mental patient's family sues a state hospital for failing to provide minimal treatment. What court decision would the family's lawyer probably cite?
a. Rogers v. Okin (1979)
b. United States v. Hinckley (1982)
c. Wyatt v. Stickney (1972)
d. Tarasoff v. Board of Regents of the University of California (1976)
Question 2An attorney says, Patients who have been involuntarily confined for treatment have a constitutional right that is supported by cases such as Rouse v. Cameron and Wyatt v. Stickney. What right is the attorney talking about?
a. confidentiality
b. right to treatment
c. right to refuse treatment
d. due process
Question 3The case of Wyatt v. Stickney not only mandated that mental patients have a right to receive treatment, but also ruled that mental patients ____.
a. are entitled to custodial care
b. should be maintained in the least restrictive environment appropriate for their condition
c. may be committed for no more than 72 hours unless a civil commitment proceeding has been initiated
d. may not be forced to engage in work-related activities aimed at maintaining the institution in which they live
Question 4Max was committed to a psychiatric hospital six months ago as a result of his aggressive, combative, and physically threatening behavior. At the time of his hospitalization, his family and friends were afraid he was going to hurt someone. At the present time, however, Max is not demonstrating any physically threatening behavior. In addition, he has some minimal self-help skills and is believed to be able to function by himself with minimal supervision. What do the legal rights of mental patients suggest should be done with Max?
a. There are no legal rights of mental patients that specifically address Max's situation.
b. Based on the right to the least restrictive alternative, Max should be moved to a group home or halfway house.
c. Based on the right to refuse treatment, Max should never have been hospitalized and should be released immediately.
d. Based on the right to treatment, Max should remain in the hospital until the psychologists can predict with certainty that he is no longer a threat to himself or others.
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