Mrs. L has experienced a progressive loss of mobility over the last several years as a consequence of multiple sclerosis. Combined with a narrowing social circle,
Mrs. L has characterized her life as "not worth living" and expressed to her nurse a desire to "end it all.". How should the nurse best respond to Mrs. L's statement?
A) Assure Mrs. L that such challenges are not uncommon in older adults.
B) Implement measures to ensure Mrs. L's safety.
C) Inform Mrs. L's family about her statements.
D) Add "risk for depression" to Mrs. L's nursing care plan.
B
Feedback:
All threats of suicide should be taken seriously and safety measures established. Assurances are likely inappropriate and counterproductive, and modifying her care plan would be a less important action. Informing her family would be ethically questionable.
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