The nurse assesses a client who recently attempted suicide by ...

[saliriagwu]

The nurse assesses a client who recently attempted suicide by prescription drug overdose.
 
  Based on knowledge of a recent study of the findings of the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey, what is the most important risk factor to assess for in this client?
  A) Substance abuse
  B) Major depressive disorder
  C) Social isolation
  D) Chronic pain

Question 2

In researching the problem of homelessness in the city, the nurse discovers that the number of mentally ill homeless has steadily grown over the past couple of decades. The biggest reason for this trend is:
 
  A) Deinstitutionalizat ion
  B) An increase in the prevalence of major mental illness
  C) Economic downturns
  D) Shortages of affordable housing

[joneynes]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: B
Feedback:
A recent study of the findings of the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey found that, after adjustment for other risk factors, a history of major depressive disorder was the strongest risk factor associated with attempted suicide for both men and women. Other risk factors include a history of substance abuse, suicide or self-mutilating behaviors, chronic pain, social isolation, stress, unemployment, and poverty.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: A
Feedback:
The rising number of mentally ill clients who are homeless has steadily increased in the United States as state governments embarked on a systematic plan to deinstitutionalize the mentally ill. The goal of deinstitutionalizat ion is to replace state hospitals with smaller group homes, half-way houses, or other supported living arrangements that integrate, rather than separate, the chronic mentally ill in the community. Tragically, the services available in the community seldom have kept pace with the demand for services. The gap in community-based services persists in all developed countries because of fiscal and political constraints. There is no evidence to support an increase in the prevalence of major mental illness. Economic downturns and shortages of affordable housing might contribute to homelessness overall, but are lesser causes than deinstitutionalizat ion with regard to homelessness among the mentally ill.