Chapter 21 - Suicide Prevention Flashcards
Suicide is the #2 cause of death in what age group?
Adolescents
Suicide
Voluntary act of killing oneself, a fatal, self inflicted destructive act with explicit/inferred intent to die
Suicidality
A suicide related behaviors and thoughts of completing/attempting suicide and suicidal ideation
Suicidal Ideation
Thinking about and planning one’s own death
Parasuicide
Voluntary apparent attempt at suicide, the aim is not death
Suicide Attempt
Nonfatal, self-inflicted destructive act with explicit/implicit intent to die
Lethality
The probability that a person will successfully complete suicide (The Plan)
If the nurse refers to a pt.’s lethality as being soft what does this mean?
A soft lethality could be an overdose
Anything that a nurse can treat to help bring the pt. back
If the nurse refers to a pt.’s lethality as being hard what does this mean?
Ex. gunshot or jumping off a bridge
Attempted Suicide rates are higher in what population?
Adolescents
Completed suicide rates are higher is what population?
Older white males
Risk factors for suicide
Mental illness (new diagnosis) Psychological - distress, low self-esteem, childhood physical and sexual abuse Social isolation Being male Sexual identity Being white
Spirituality is a __ factor
Protective factor
The most common mental illness that leads to suicide
Depression
Severe childhood trauma can change a child to be what type of personality? Relation to suicide?
Type D personalities are more at risk for suicide
Suicide contagion
Social exposure to suicide is associated with an increased personal risk for suicidal behavior
A pt comes into the ER and is having a suicidal thoughts. Priority action
Admit to inpatient
Suicide precautions
Do not leave them alone - can be delegated
Reassurance
Good
“You are in a safe unit in the hospital. You are safe”
False reassurance
Bad
“Everything is going to be okay”
Warning signs of suicide
Ideation Substance abuse Purposelessness Anxiety, agitation Trapped Hopelessness Withdrawal Angry, rage Recklessness Mood change
Risk Assessment the nurse should do to assess for suicide ideation
Ask: identification of suicide ideation
Plan: Do they have a plan?
Intent: Determine the severity of the intent
Means: Evaluate the available means
Most effective interventions to reduce suicide behaviors
Meds + Therapy
Biological interventions
Physical care of self inflicted injuries
Med management
Electroconvulsive therapy (last resort)
Psychological interventions
Challenging the suicidal mindset
Developing new coping strategies
Committing to Tx
Social Interventions
Social skills training
Development of support networks
Stigma reduction
Important documentation points
Use of drugs, alcohol, prescriptions, and herbs
Level of Pt. judgement
Prescribed meds, dose, and # of pills dispensed
