Author Question: The health care team is planning care for a client hospitalized following a suicide attempt. Which ... (Read 59 times)

kodithompson · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

The health care team is planning care for a client hospitalized following a suicide attempt. Which statement by a team member should serve as a basis for planning?

1. A client who has made a recent suicide attempt is at low risk for another at-tempt.
2. A client who has made a recent suicide attempt is at very high risk for another attempt.
3. A client who has made a recent suicide attempt requires ongoing assessment to determine the level of risk.
4. A client who has made a recent suicide attempt may be at risk for 24 hours until medication takes effect.

Question 2

A suicidal client agreed on day 2 of hospitalization to write and sign a no self-harm contract. As a result of this contract, the health care team should plan to:

1. Discontinue suicide precautions
2. Reduce one-to-one observation to observing the client every 15 minutes
3. Reduce observation to observing the client every hour
4. Base the level of observation on staff assessment

jrpg123456 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: 3
Option 1 is incorrect, since a recent attempt is a risk factor for more attempts. The client could be at high risk (option 2), but more data are needed, so option 3 is correct. Option 4 is incorrect, since medication will not take effect in 24 hours.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: 4
Research suggests that no-harm contracts may not prevent self-harm; therefore any reduction in suicide precautions is incorrect. Staff assessment needs to continue; therefore option 4 is correct.