CH 17: The Suicidal Client

25. After a teenager reveals that he is gay, the father responds by beating him. The next morning, the teenager is found hanging in his closet. Which paternal grief responses should a nurse anticipate? Select all that apply. A. I cant believe this is happening. B. If only I had been more understanding. C. How dare he do this to me! D. Im just going to have to accept that he was gay. E. Well, that was a selfish thing to do.

ANS: A, B, C Suicide of a family member can induce a whole gamut of feelings in the survivors. Shock, disbelief, guilt, remorse, anger, and resentment are all feelings that may be experienced by this father. The last two possible responses suggest acceptance and understanding. It is far more common for survivors of suicide to have a sense of feeling wounded and as if they will never get over it.

26. A nursing student is developing a study guide related to historical facts about suicide. Which of the following facts should the student include? Select all that apply. A. In the Middle Ages, suicide was viewed as a selfish and criminal act. B. During the Roman Empire, suicide was followed by incineration of the body. C. Suicide was an offense in ancient Greece, and a common-site burial was denied. D. During the Renaissance, suicide was discussed and viewed more philosophically. E. Old Norse traditionally set a person who committed suicide adrift in the North Sea.

ANS: A, C, D These are true historical facts about suicide and should be included in the students study guide.

16. Which is a correctly written, appropriate outcome for a client with a history of suicide attempts who is currently exhibiting symptoms of low self-esteem by isolating self? A. The client will not physically harm self. B. The client will express three positive self-attributes by day 4. C. The client will reveal a suicide plan. D. The client will establish a trusting relationship.

ANS: B Although the client has a history of suicide attempts, the current problem is isolative behaviors based on low self-esteem. Outcomes should be client centered, specific, realistic, and measureable and contain a time frame.

9. A stockbroker commits suicide after being convicted of insider trading. In speaking with the family, which statement by the nurse demonstrates accurate and appropriate sharing of information? A. Your grieving will subside within 1 year; until then I recommend antidepressants. B. Support groups are available specifically for survivors of suicide, and I would be glad to help you locate one in this area. C. The only way to deal effectively with this kind of grief is to write a letter to the brokerage firm to express your anger with them. D. Since stigmatization often occurs in these situations, it would be best if you avoid discussing the suicide with anyone.

ANS: B Bereavement following suicide is complicated by the complex psychological impact of the act on those close to the victim. Support groups for survivors can provide a meaningful resource for grief work.

5. A nurse recently admitted a client to an inpatient unit after a suicide attempt. A health-care provider orders amitriptyline (Elavil) for the client. Which intervention related to this medication should be initiated to maintain this clients safety upon discharge? A. Provide a 6-month supply of Elavil to ensure long-term compliance. B. Provide a 1-week supply of Elavil with refills contingent on follow-up appointments. C. Provide a pill dispenser as a memory aid. D. Provide education regarding the avoidance of foods containing tyramine.

ANS: B The health-care provider should provide a 1-week supply of Elavil with refills contingent on follow-up appointments as an appropriate intervention to maintain the clients safety. Tricyclic antidepressants have a narrow therapeutic range and can be used in overdose to commit suicide. Distributing limited amounts of the medication decreases this potential.

22. Which statement indicates that the nurse is acting as an advocate for a client who was hospitalized after a suicide attempt and is now nearing discharge? A. I must observe you continually for 1 hour in order to keep you safe. B. Lets confer with the treatment team about the resources that you may need after discharge. C. You must have been very upset to do what you did today. D. Are you currently thinking about harming yourself?

ANS: B The nurse is functioning in an advocacy role when collaborating with the client and treatment team to discuss client problems and needs.

10. After years of dialysis, an 84-year-old states, Im exhausted, depressed, and done with these attempts to keep me alive. Which question should the nurse ask the spouse when preparing a discharge plan of care? A. Have there been any changes in appetite or sleep? B. How often is your spouse left alone? C. Has your spouse been following a diet and exercise program consistently? D. How would you characterize your relationship with your spouse?

ANS: B This client has many risk factors for suicide. The client should have increased supervision to decrease likelihood of self-harm.

11. A nursing instructor is teaching about suicide in the elderly population. Which information should the instructor include? A. Elderly people use less lethal means to commit suicide. B. Although the elderly make up less than 13% of the population, they account for 16% of all suicides. C. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among the elderly. D. It is normal for elderly individuals to express a desire to die, because they have come to terms with their mortality.

ANS: B This factual information should be included in the nursing instructors teaching plan. An expressed desire to die is not normal in any age group.

18. A nurse is caring for four clients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. When considering each clients belief system, the nurse should conclude which client would potentially be at highest risk for suicide? A. Roman Catholic B. Protestant C. Atheist D. Muslim

ANS: C Depressed men and women who consider themselves affiliated with a religion are less likely to attempt suicide than their nonreligious counterparts.

4. A new nursing graduate asks the psychiatric nurse manager how to best classify suicide. Which is the nurse managers best reply? A. Suicide is a DSM-5 diagnosis. B. Suicide is a mental disorder. C. Suicide is a behavior. D. Suicide is an antisocial affliction.

ANS: C Suicide is not a diagnosis, disorder, or affliction. It is a behavior.

4. A client with a history of three suicide attempts has been taking fluoxetine (Prozac) for 1 month. The client suddenly presents with a bright affect, rates mood at 9/10, and is much more communicative. Which action should be the nurses priority at this time? A. Give the client off-unit privileges as positive reinforcement. B. Encourage the client to share mood improvement in group. C. Increase frequency of client observation. D. Request that the psychiatrist reevaluate the current medication protocol.

ANS: C The nurse should be aware that a sudden increase in mood rating and change in affect could indicate that the client is at risk for suicide and client observation should be more frequent. Suicide risk may occur early during treatment with antidepressants. The return of energy may bring about an increased ability to act out self-destructive behaviors prior to attaining the full therapeutic effect of the antidepressant medication.

3. A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder with psychotic features hears voices commanding self-harm. The client refuses to commit to developing a plan for safety. What should be the nurses priority intervention at this time? A. Obtaining an order for locked seclusion until client is no longer suicidal B. Conducting 15-minute checks to ensure safety C. Placing the client on one-to-one observation while monitoring suicidal ideations D. Encouraging client to express feelings related to suicide

ANS: C The nurses priority intervention when a client hears voices commanding self-harm is to place the client on one-to-one observation while continuing to monitor suicidal ideation.

1. A nurse discovers a clients suicide note that details the time, place, and means to commit suicide. What should be the priority nursing intervention and the rationale for this action? A. Administering lorazepam (Ativan) prn, because the client is angry about the discovery of the note B. Establishing room restrictions, because the clients threat is an attempt to manipulate the staff C. Placing this client on one-to-one suicide precautions, because the more specific the plan, the more likely the client will attempt suicide D. Calling an emergency treatment team meeting, because the clients threat must be addressed

ANS: C The priority nursing action should be to place this client on one-to-one suicide precautions, because the more specific the plan, the more likely the client will attempt suicide. The appropriate nursing diagnosis for this client would be risk for suicide.

15. A nursing student is developing a plan of care for a suicidal client. Which documented intervention should the student implement first? A. Communicate therapeutically. B. Observe the client. C. Provide a hazard-free environment. D. Assess suicide risk.

ANS: D Assessment is the first step of the nursing process to gain needed information to determine further appropriate interventions.

8. The family of a suicidal client is very supportive and requests more facts related to caring for their family member after discharge. Which information should the nurse provide? A. Address only serious suicide threats to avoid the possibility of secondary gain. B. Promote trust by verbalizing a promise to keep suicide attempt information within the family. C. Offer a private environment to provide needed time alone at least once a day. D. Be available to actively listen, support, and accept feelings.

ANS: D Being available to actively listen, support, and accept feelings increases the potential that a client would confide suicidal ideations to family members.

17. A nursing instructor is teaching about suicide. Which student statement indicates that learning has occurred? A. Suicidal threats and gestures should be considered manipulative and/or attention-seeking. B. Suicide is the act of a psychotic person. C. All suicidal individuals are mentally ill. D. Fifty to eighty percent of all people who kill themselves have a history of a previous attempt.

ANS: D It is a fact that between 50% and 80% of all people who kill themselves have a history of a previous attempt. All other answer choices are myths about suicide.

7. The treatment team is making a discharge decision regarding a previously suicidal client. Which client assessment information should a nurse recognize as contributing to the teams decision? A. No previous admissions for major depressive disorder B. Vital signs stable; no psychosis noted C. Able to comply with medication regimen; able to problem-solve life issues D. Able to participate in a plan for safety; family agrees to constant observation

ANS: D Participation in a plan of safety and constant family observation will decrease the risk for self-harm. All other answer choices are not directly focused on suicide prevention and safety.

Gender?

Females are at highest risk but males are more successful due to taking lethal methods

Warning Signs: "IS PATH WARM?"

Ideation Substance abuse Purposelessness Anxiety Trapped Hopelessness Withdrawal Anger Restlessness Mood changes

What is the order of the most common tools used to commit suicide (top three)

1. Firearms 2. Suffocation 3. Poisoning

23. A client is newly admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which of the following is most critical to assess when determining risk for suicide? A. Family history of depression B. The clients orientation to reality C. The clients history of suicide attempts D. Family support systems

ANS: C A history of suicide attempts places a client at a higher risk for current suicide behaviors. Knowing this specific data will alert the nurse to the clients risk.

After a pt is discharged from a hospital, how many hours, on average, are they at risk for suicide?

72 hours

Some biological factors may be associated with the predisposition to suicide. Which of the following factors has been implicated? a. genetics and increased levels of serotonin b.heredity and increased levels of norepinephrine c. temporal lobe atrophy and decrease levels of acetylcholine d. structural alterations of the brain and increased levels of dopamine

A

The nurse identifies the primary nursing diagnosis for Teresa as: risk for suicide r/t feelings of hopelessness from loss of a relationship. Which is the outcome criterion that would most accurately measure achievement of this diagnosis? a. the client has experienced no physical harm to herself b. the client has set realistic goals for herself c. the client expresses some optimism and hope for the future d. the client has reached a stage of acceptance in the loss of the relationship with her boyfriend

A

2. A nurse is caring for a client who has threatened to commit suicide by hanging. The client states, Im going to use a knotted shower curtain when no one is around. Which information would determine the nurses plan of care for this client? A. The more specific the plan is, the more likely the client will attempt suicide. B. Clients who talk about suicide never actually commit it. C. Clients who threaten suicide should be observed every 15 minutes. D. After a brief assessment, the nurse should avoid the topic of suicide.

ANS: A Clients who have specific plans are at greater risk for suicide.

2. During the planning of care for a suicidal client, which correctly written outcome should be a nurses first priority? A. The client will not physically harm self. B. The client will express hope for the future by day 3. C. The client will establish a trusting relationship with the nurse. D. The client will remain safe during the hospital stay.

ANS: D The nurses priority should be that the client will remain safe during the hospital stay. Client safety should always be the nurses priority. The A answer choice is incorrectly written. Correctly written outcomes must be client focused, measurable, and realistic and contain a time frame. Without a time frame, an outcome cannot be correctly evaluated.

13. A suicidal client says to a nurse, Theres nothing to live for anymore. Which is the most appropriate nursing reply? A. Why dont you consider doing volunteer work in a homeless shelter? B. Lets discuss the negative aspects of your life. C. Things will look better in the morning. D. It sounds like you are feeling pretty hopeless.

ANS: D This statement verbalizes the clients implied feelings and allows him or her to validate and explore them.

Teresa who has been hospitalized following a suicide attempt is placed on suicide precautions on the psychiatric unit. She admits that she is still feeling suicidal. Which of the following interventions is most appropriate in this instance? a. obtain an order from the physician to place Teresa in restraints to prevent any attempt to harm her self b. check on Teresa every 15 minutes or assign a staff person to say to stay with her on a one to one basis c. obtain an order from the physician to give Teresa a sedative to calm her and reduce suicide ideas d. do you not allow Teresa to participate in any activities while she is on suicide precautions

B

Which of the following individuals is that a high risk for suicide? A. Nancy, age 33, Asian American, Catholic, middle socioeconomic group, alcoholic B. John, age 72, White Methodist, low socioeconomic group, dx of metastatic cancer of the pancreas C. Carol, 15, African American, baptist, high socioeconomic group, no physical or mental health problems D. Mike, 55, jewish, middle socioeconomic group, suffered MI a year ago

B

In determining degree of suicidal risk with a suicidal client, the nurse assesses the following behavioral manifestations: severely depressed, withdrawn, statements of worthlessness, difficulty accomplishing activities of daily living, no close support systems. The nurse identifies the clients risk for suicide as: a. low b. moderate c.high d. unable to determine

C

What neurochemical do we see a deficiency of in suicidal pts?

Serotonin

T/F: Suicide is not a Dx or a disorder, it is a behavior?

True

What age/gender is suicide instance highest?

White, middle aged men

Which of the following interventions are appropriate for a client on suicide precautions? (select all that apply) a. remove all sharp objects, belts, and any other potentially dangerous articles from the clients environment b. accompany the client to off unit activities c. attain a promise from the client that she will not do anything to harm herself for the next 12 hours d. put all the clients possessions in storage and explain to her that she may have them back when she is off suicide precautions

a, b, c

Success of long-term psychotherapy with Teresa (who attempted suicide following a break up with her boyfriend) could be measured by which of the following behaviors? a. Teresa has a new boyfriend b. Teresa has an increased sense of self worth c. Teresa does not take antidepressants anymore d. Teresa told her old boyfriend how angry she was with him for breaking up with her

b

Stats about socioeconomic status?

highest and lowest groups

Psychiatric illness?

mood and substance disorders are the most common psych disorder to precede suicide

Marrital status?

singles are more likely too commit suicide

Race?

whites are at highest risk

19. Which nursing intervention strategy is most appropriate to implement initially with a suicidal client? A. Ask a direct question such as, Do you ever think about killing yourself? B. Ask client, Please rate your mood on a scale from 1 to 10. C. Establish a trusting nurseclient relationship. D. Apply the nursing process to the planning of client care.

ANS: A The risk of suicide is greatly increased if the client has suicidal ideations, if the client has developed a plan, and particularly if the means exist for the client to execute the plan

21. Which client data indicate that a suicidal client is participating in a plan for safety? A. Compliance with antidepressant therapy B. A mood rating of 9/10 C. Disclosing a plan for suicide to staff D. Expressing feelings of hopelessness to nurse

ANS: C A degree of the responsibility for the suicidal clients safety is given to the client. When a client shares with staff a plan for suicide, the client is participating in a plan for safety by communicating thoughts of self-harm that would initiate interventions to prevent suicide.

6. During a one-to-one session with a client, the client states, Nothing will ever get better, and Nobody can help me. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a nurse to assign to this client at this time? A. Powerlessness R/T altered mood AEB client statements B. Risk for injury R/T altered mood AEB client statements C. Risk for suicide R/T altered mood AEB client statements D. Hopelessness R/T altered mood AEB client statements

ANS: D The clients statements indicate the problem of hopelessness. Prior to assigning either risk for injury or risk for suicide, a further evaluation of the clients suicidal ideations and intent would be necessary.

Theresa is hospitalized following a suicide attempt after breaking up with her boyfriend. Fruedian psychoanalytic theory would explain Theresa's suicide attempt in which of the following ways? a. she feels hopeless about her future without her boyfriend b. without her boyfriend she feels like an outsider with her peers c. she's feeling intense guilt because her boyfriend broke up with her d. she is angry at her boyfriend for breaking up with her and has turn the anger in on herself

D

Religious affiliation?

No religious affiliation--> highest risk Second highest are Jews and protestants

24. A client has been brought to the emergency department for signs and symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The client has a history of a suicide attempt 1 year ago. Which nursing intervention would take priority in this situation? A. Assessing the clients pulse oximetry and vital signs B. Developing a plan for safety for the client C. Assessing the client for suicidal ideations D. Establishing a trusting nurseclient relationship

ANS: A It is important to prioritize client interventions that assess the symptoms of COPD prior to any other nursing intervention. Physical needs must be prioritized according to Maslows hierarchy of needs. This clients problems with oxygenation will take priority over assessing for current suicidal ideations.

20. A client is newly committed to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which nursing intervention best lowers this clients risk for suicide? A. Encouraging participation in the milieu to promote hope B. Developing a strong personal relationship with the client C. Observing the client at intervals determined by assessed data D. Encouraging and redirecting the client to concentrate on happier times

ANS: C The nurse should observe the actively suicidal client continuously for the first hour after admission. After a full assessment the treatment team will determine the observation status of the client. Observation of the client allows the nurse to interrupt any observed suicidal behaviors.

Teresa is hospitalized following a suicide attempt after breaking up with her boyfriend. Teresa says to the nurse "when I get out of here I'm going to try this again and next time I'll choose a no-fail method" Which is the best response by the nurse? a. you are safe here we will make sure nothing happens to you b. you're just lucky your roommate came home when she did c. what do you exactly plan on doing d. I don't understand you have so much to live for

C

Theresa, 27, was admitted to the psychiatric unit from the medical intensive care unit where she was treated for taking a deliberate overdose of her antidepressant medication trazodone. She says to the nurse "my boyfriend broke up with me, we had been together for six years. I love him so much I know I'll never get over him" Which is the best response by the nurse? a. you'll get over him in time b. Theresa forget him there are other fish in the sea c. you must be feeling very sad about your loss d. why do you think he broke up with you Theresa

C