When assessing a patient's plan for suicide, what aspect has ...

[jrubin]

When assessing a patient's plan for suicide, what aspect has priority?
 
  a. Patient's cultural heritage.
  b. Patient's insight into suicidal motivation.
  c. Availability of means and lethality of method.
  d. Quality and access to an intact social support system.

Question 2

A patient's serum lithium level is 1.8 mEq/L. Select the nurse's priority action.
 
  a. Restrict fluid intake.
  b. Assess for signs of toxicity.
  c. Encourage intake of high-potassium foods.
  d. Ensure that the patient is swallowing the capsules.

[Edwyer]

Answer to Question 1

C
If a person has definite plans that include choosing a method of suicide readily available to the person, and if the method is one that is lethal (i.e., will cause the person to die with little probability for intervention), the suicide risk is considered high. These areas provide a better indication of risk than the areas mentioned in the other options.

Answer to Question 2

B
A serum level of 1.8 mEq/L is higher than desirable. It suggests that the patient might be experiencing toxic effects. Clinical assessment should be conducted. A nurse should not rely entirely on laboratory tests but should make careful clinical assessments. None of the other options would be appropriate.

[jrubin]

TYSM

[nathang24]

Excellent