Author Question: On day 4 of hospitalization after a suicide attempt, the patient tells the nurse, You don't have to ... (Read 88 times)

rl · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

On day 4 of hospitalization after a suicide attempt, the patient tells the nurse, You don't have to worry about me any longer. Today was the turning point. You can stop the sui-cide precautions.

Which action indicates the nurse's use of intuition in responding to this patient?
a. Reporting the patient's statements and the nurse's own feelings to the staff and suggest increased vigilance
b. Reporting only the patient's statements and evaluate the outcome, Patient will report lack of suicidal ideation as attained.
c. Conferring with the patient's family members to obtain their evaluation of the pa-tient and his behavior and follow their lead
d. Suggesting that the level of suicide precautions be lowered from one-to-one su-pervision to observing the patient every 30 minutes

Question 2

A patient has been displaying advanced thought of suicide. Which action reflects this behavior?

a. Acknowledging thoughts of dying
b. Expresses verbal expressions of severe sadness'
c. Wrists are bleeding from cuts with a butter knife
d. Found unconscious with empty pills bottles nearby

wfdfwc23 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
It is unlikely that a highly suicidal patient would recover so quickly. Sometimes hospitaliza-tion and medication allow a renewal of energy, enough to increase suicidal resolve. The nurse should follow this intuition and suggest increased vigilance. Keeping this concern to oneself is not helpful. Taking the lead from the family is not appropriate, and lowering suicide pre-cautions so soon is risky.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
A nonlethal suicide gesture is characteristic of this degree of suicide risk. Having suicidal thoughts only is reflective of ideations although a verbal expression is a moderate risk ges-ture. An actual attempt that was potentially lethal is the ultimate risk behavior.