A 50-year-old man who has recently been diagnosed with ...

[mikaylakyoung]

A 50-year-old man who has recently been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has announced to the nurse his intention to commit suicide in order to prevent future suffering.
 
  Which of the following facts should underlie the nurse's response to this client?
 
  A) The nurse is required to document the client's wishes and begin to facilitate an assisted suicide.
  B) The nurse is obliged to protect the client from self-harm.
  C) The nurse must refer the client to a physician who is authorized to assist the man with a suicide.
  D) The nurse is ethically obliged to inform law enforcement.

Question 2

The term dual diagnosis is used to designate what?
 
  A) Clients who have two mental illnesses at the same time
  B) Clients who have two forms of substance or drug abuse simultaneously
  C) Clients who are mentally retarded and have a comorbid learning disorder
  D) Clients who have a mental illness with a comorbid substance-related disorder

[iceage]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: B
While the nurse is not obliged to inform law enforcement, he or she is ethically obligated to protect the client from self-harm. Participation or referral for assisted suicide has not been recognized as an acceptable component of nursing practice.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: D
The term dual diagnosis is used to designate mentally ill clients who also have a comorbid substance-related disorder. It has been estimated that approximately 50 to 75 of severely mentally ill clients have a dual diagnosis.