Chapter 11, exam 2

Question 1

What is Suicidal Ideation?

Answer 1

A person is thinking about ending their life/Self-harm

Question 2

What was the 10th overall leading cause of death in the U.S?

Answer 2

Suicide

Question 3

Suicide was the 2nd overall cause of death in:

a.) Americans ages 10-34
b.) Americans ages 35-55
c.) Americans ages 55-64

Answer 3

a.) Suicide was the 2nd overall cause of death in ages 10-34

Question 4

What was suicide ranked for overall cause of death in ages 55-65?

Answer 4

8th

Question 5

What was suicide ranked for overall cause of death in ages 35-55?

Answer 5

4th

Question 6

Which is a misconception about suicide?
A. Eight out of ten individuals who commit suicide give warnings about their intentions.
B. Most suicidal individuals are ambivalent about their feelings regarding suicide.
C. Most individuals commit suicide by taking an overdose of drugs.
D. Initial mood improvement can precipitate suicide.

Answer 6

C.
It is a misconception that individuals usually commit suicide by taking an overdose of drugs. Gunshot wounds are the leading cause of death among suicide victims.

Question 7

List some protective factors that help ward off suicide and suicidal ideations.

Answer 7

-Family
-Pregnancy
-Religion/Culture
-Coping skills
-Medical care

Question 8

Who are more likely to attempt suicide, men or women?

Answer 8

Women are more likely to attempt suicide, usually through more non-violent means.

Question 9

Who are more likely to commit suicide, men or women?

Answer 9

Men, usually through more violent means

Question 10

Which socioeconomic class has the highest rates of suicide?

Answer 10

The very rich and the very poor

Question 11

Which ethnicity has the highest rates for suicide?

Answer 11

Whites

Question 12

Which ethnicity has the highest risk for suicide?

Answer 12

Native-American/American Indians

Question 13

What is the percentage of people who commit suicide that a diagnosable mental disorder?

Answer 13

90%

Question 14

Of the mental disorders that lead to suicide, which two are the most diagnosed?

Answer 14

-Mood disorders
-Substance use disorders

Question 15

What percentage of individuals who kill themselves have a history of previous suicide attempts?

Answer 15

50%

Question 16

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death amongst what age group?

Answer 16

Adolescents and Young adults
ages 13-24

Question 17

What are the 5 strongest risks for suicide among adolescents and young adults?

Answer 17

-Substance abuse
-Aggressions
-Disruptive behavior
-Depression
-Social isolation

Question 18

What age group has the highest rate of suicide?

Answer 18

Age 65 and over.

Question 19

It is especially important to treat/diagnose depression in what age group?

Answer 19

Age 65 and over.

Question 20

Most older adults commit suicide one month after visiting what type of physician?

Answer 20

Primary-care physician.

Question 21

Before handling a patient with suicidal ideations, it is important for a nurse to determine what for themselves?

Answer 21

How they personally feel about suicide, and if they are comfortable dealing with a suicidal patient.

Question 22

A SAD PERSONS score of between 6 and 8 is considered what?

Answer 22

A full emergency, needing psychiatric evaluation/treatment

Question 23

A SAD PERSONS score at or above 9 is considered what?

Answer 23

Grounds for immediate psychiatric hospitalization.

Question 24

Wayne is diagnosed with a score of 11 on the SAD PERSONS scale. What does this mean for Wayne?

Answer 24

It means that he is cleared for immediate psychiatric hospitalization.

Question 25

How often should you document the activity of a patient with suicidal ideations?

Answer 25

Every 15 minutes

Question 26

When documenting suicidal patient behavior, what are some things that you should be keeping track of?

Answer 26

-Behavior
-Mood
-Location
-Quoted statements

Question 27

What is a document that you can establish with a patient that will decrease the risk of suicide?

Answer 27

A No Suicide contract

Question 28

Would you remove things like perfume and shampoo from a patient’s room if they are suicidal?

Answer 28

Yes, they can poison themselves with these things by drinking them.

Question 29

What kind of supervision would you initiate with a suicidal client?

Answer 29

One-on-one constant supervision

Question 30

When questioning a patient about suicide, what should you do if their first answer is negative?

Answer 30

Ask a follow up question

Question 31

True or False:
It can be healthy to extend the time a suicidal patient is alone, so long as harmful devices are kept away from them.

Answer 31

False:

Suicidal patient alone time should be limited.

Question 32

What are some drug classes that would be used to treat suicidal ideations?

Answer 32

-Antidepressants
-Benzodiazepines
-Mood stabilizers
-Atypical antipsychotics

Question 33

In a post-crisis period for a suicidal patient, if there is no family or friend for the patient to live with, what would be the next alternative?

Answer 33

Hospitalization

Question 34

When are post-interventions for survivors initiated?

Answer 34

24-72 hours after death

Question 35

Survivors of suicide often feel as though they are going crazy. What is a good way to help them?

Answer 35

Remind them that these feelings they have are normal.

Question 36

Is anger towards those who committed suicide a normal behavior? What should happen with these feelings?

Answer 36

Yes, its normal.
These feelings should be expressed.

Question 37

What mental disorder is associated with suicide survivors?

Answer 37

PTSD

Question 38

The nurse is caring for an actively suicidal client on the psychiatric unit. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?

A. Discuss strategies for the management of anxiety, anger, and frustration.
B. Provide opportunities for increasing the client’s self-worth, morale, and control.
C. Place client on suicide precautions with one-to-one observation.
D. Explore experiences that affirm self-worth and self-efficacy.

Answer 38

C.
Placing the client on suicide precautions with one-to-one observation provides a safe environment for an actively suicidal client. Maintaining client safety should always be a priority nursing intervention.

Question 39

A client with a history of a suicide attempt has been discharged and is being followed in an outpatient clinic. At this time, which is the most appropriate nursing intervention for this client?

A. Provide the client with a safe and structured environment.
B. Isolate the client from all stressful situations that may precipitate a suicide attempt.
C. Observe the client continuously to prevent self-harm.
D. Assist the client to develop more effective coping mechanisms.

Answer 39

D.
Assisting the client to develop more effective coping mechanisms is a nursing intervention that can and should be implemented in outpatient settings as ongoing follow-up.