A client was admitted to the psychiatric unit 3 days ago because of suicidal ideation. His suicidal risk has lessened considerably, and he currently denies having any desire to kill himself. In addition, he is able to identify reasons why he wants to be a

Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate at this time?

A) Assigning nursing staff to stay with him during his suicidal crisis
B) Developing a personal plan for managing suicidal thoughts when they occur
C) Advising the client that he should consider electroconvulsive therapy treatments
D) Administering psychotropic drugs that decrease the client's serotonin levels


Ans: B
The client's immediate suicidal crisis has subsided, and it is now appropriate for the nurse to focus on working with the client on symptom management. Preventing suicidal behavior requires that clients develop crisis management strategies, generate solutions to difficult life circumstances other than suicide, engage in effective interpersonal interactions, and maintain hope. The nurse can help the client develop a written plan that can be used as a blueprint for action when the client feels like he is losing control. The plan should include strategies that the client can use to self-soothe; friends and family members who could be called (including multiple phone numbers where they can be reached); self-help groups and services such as suicide hotlines; and professional resources, including emergency departments and outpatient emergency psychiatric services. Medications that increase serotonin levels may be prescribed. The role of electroconvulsive therapy to decrease suicidal behavior is under investigation.

Nursing

You might also like to view...

The patient has very low serum potassium and is to receive an IV bolus of potassium mixed 20 mEq in 50 mL

To give a total dose of 60 mEq potassium at the highest recommended rate, what is the maximum intravenous rate in mL per hour? (Round your answer to the nearest whole number.)

Nursing

Staff members at the bottom of the organizational hierarchy have:

A. No power. B. No power and no authority. C. High authority and high power. D. Little authority, but some power.

Nursing

The nurse is performing nasotracheal suctioning on a medical patient and obtains copious amounts of secretions from the patient's airway, even after inserting and withdrawing the catheter several times. How should the nurse proceed?

A) Continue suctioning the patient until no more secretions are obtained. B) Perform chest physiotherapy rather than nasotracheal suctioning. C) Wait several minutes and then repeat suctioning. D) Perform postural drainage and then repeat suctioning.

Nursing

During a session with a female client with a diagnosis of social phobia, she talks about how proud she is of herself because she was finally able to shop at the grocery store

The nurse documents the events and knows that this would be considered which phase of the nursing process? a. Assessment b. Planning c. Intervention d. Evaluation

Nursing