Author Question: An adolescent girl tells the nurse that she is very suicidal. The nurse asks her whether she has a ... (Read 83 times)

NguyenJ · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

An adolescent girl tells the nurse that she is very suicidal. The nurse asks her whether she has a specific plan. Asking this should be considered:

a. an appropriate part of the assessment.
b. not a critical part of the assessment.
c. suggesting that the adolescent needs a plan.
d. encouraging the adolescent to devise a plan.

Question 2

A school nurse is conducting a class with adolescents on suicide. Which true statement about suicide should the nurse include in the teaching session?

a. A sense of hopelessness and despair are a normal part of adolescence.
b. Gay and lesbian adolescents are at a particularly high risk for suicide.
c. Problem-solving skills are of limited value to the suicidal adolescent.
d. Previous suicide attempts are not an indication of risk for completed suicides.

ynlevi · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Routine health assessments of adolescents should include questions that assess the presence of suicidal ideation or intent. Questions such as, Have you ever developed a plan to hurt yourself or kill yourself? should be part of that assessment. Adolescents who express suicidal feelings and have a specific plan are at particular risk and require further assessment and constant monitoring. The information about having a plan is an essential part of the assessment and greatly affects the treatment plan.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
A significant number of teenage suicides occur among homosexual youths. Gay and lesbian adolescents who live in families or communities that do not accept homosexuality are likely to suffer low self-esteem, self-loathing, depression, and hopelessness as a result of a lack of acceptance from their family or community. At-risk teenagers include those who are depressed, have poor problem-solving skills, or use drugs and alcohol. History of previous suicide attempt is a serious indicator for possible suicide completion in the future.