A patient on the inpatient psychiatric–mental health unit was discovered attempting to asphyxiate himself using a blanket. Which of the following measures should the care team prioritize in the patient's immediate care?
A) Assessing the specific motivation for the patient's attempted suicide
B) Placing the patient on suicide precautions
C) Teaching the patient improved coping skills
D) Managing the patient's anxiety
Ans: B
The need for safety and suicide prevention supersedes the importance of patient education, anxiety management, and assessment of the patient's motivations.
You might also like to view...
A patient has been admitted for exacerbation of a chronic pulmonary disease. The nurse would assign the nursing diagnosis Activity Intolerance when which assessment is made?
1. The patient's heart rate increases by 20 beats per minute when she ambulates to the bathroom in her hospital room. 2. The patient's husband reports that she sits in a recliner chair most of the day. 3. The patient complains of cramping in her legs at night. 4. The patient's ankles demonstrate 3+ edema bilaterally.
When inflating the blood pressure cuff
A. quickly inflate the cuff until it reaches 150 mm Hg. B. inflate the cuff until you can no longer feel the pulse, add 30 mm, then release. C. always inflate the cuff to 200 mm Hg. D. inflate the cuff to at least 150, add 40, then release.
The nurse is completing the instructions to a patient who underwent a cadaver kidney transplant and is ready for discharge from the hospital. What patient statement indicates that further teaching is needed?
A. "I'll tell my friends to stay away from me if they have colds or the flu." B. "I'll call my doctor if I notice any decrease in my urine output." C. "I'm glad I won't have to take immunosuppressants any longer." D. "I know to check my weight on a regular basis."
The nurse manager is teaching the staff nurses about the various roles assumed by members of therapeutic groups. What role will the manager identify as the person who is keeping the flow of communication open in the group?
1. Elaborator 2. Encourager 3. Gatekeeper 4. Coordinator