A pedophile tells the nurse, I feel so guilty and shameful over ...

[PhilipSeeMore]

A pedophile tells the nurse, I feel so guilty and shameful over molesting a child. My family will be so disgusted with me. I could save them from embarrassment if I were gone. What is the nurse's priority action?
 
  a. Set limits on the patient's disclosures.
  b. Further assess the patient's suicidality.
  c. Administer a PRN medication for anxiety.
  d. Explore the patient's feelings of guilt and shame.

Question 2

A community health nurse visits an older adult whose spouse died 6 months ago. Three vodka bottles are in the trash. The person says, I get lonely and drink a little to help me forget. Select the nurse's most therapeutic intervention.
 
  a. Teach the person about alcoholism, and suggest other coping strategies.
  b. Request a mental health consultation to assess for alcohol dependency.
  c. Advise the person not to drink alone, because the risks for injury increase.
  d. Arrange for the person to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting for older adults.

[Dinolord]

Answer to Question 1

B
Patients who describe guilt, shame, and the idea that others would be better off without them are suicide risks. The nurse should further assess the patient's comments, document, report the data, and consider the need for suicide precautions. The other options do not fully consider the primary issue of patient safety.

Answer to Question 2

D
This patient needs help with alcohol abuse as well as social involvement. The AA meeting for older adults will provide an opportunity for peer bonding and reminiscing as well as strategies for coping with stress without abusing alcohol. The other options are unnecessary or ineffective.

[PhilipSeeMore]

TYSM

[kusterl]

Excellent