Questions and Answers
What period represents the highest risk for suicide after a previous attempt?
First 3 months
Who is at increased risk for suicide?
Those with a relative who committed suicide
What is believed to contribute to 'copycat suicides' by teenagers?
Familiarity and acceptance of suicide as a method of escaping a difficult situation
When do most suicides occur?
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When do most suicides happen during the week?
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What is the impact of antidepressant treatment on clients with depression?
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What signals do most people with suicidal ideation send to others about their intent to harm themselves?
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What should the nurse do regarding hints of suicidal ideation?
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What is crucial for recognizing a client's decision about suicide?
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In what situations is asking clients directly about thoughts of suicide standard practice?
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What should be monitored in depressed clients who start taking antidepressants?
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What does lethality assessment involve?
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What increases the client’s likelihood of committing suicide according to the text?
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What should be considered in lethality assessment?
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What is critical for providing appropriate support and intervention to prevent suicide?
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What is a potential risk for depressed clients who start taking antidepressants?
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What is important to monitor until the risk has subsided for depressed clients taking antidepressants?
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What poses a significant risk in terms of suicidal ideation according to the text?
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What is crucial for recognizing a client's decision about suicide?
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In what situations is asking clients directly about thoughts of suicide standard practice?
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Study Notes
Recognizing Suicidal Ideation and Assessing Risk
- Suicidal individuals often express conflicting feelings and reach out for help in various ways.
- Box 17.3 provides examples of client statements about suicide and effective nurse responses.
- The assessment of nonverbal changes in behavior is crucial for recognizing a client's decision about suicide.
- Asking clients directly about thoughts of suicide is standard practice in psychiatric admission assessment interviews and any setting where people seek treatment for emotional problems.
- While some people give no warning signs before committing suicide, others may hide their distress and suicide plans or act impulsively.
- Some individuals in treatment describe placing themselves in risky or dangerous situations, which carries a high risk for harm to themselves and others.
- Depressed clients who start taking antidepressants may have a continued or increased risk for suicide in the first few weeks of therapy due to an increase in energy.
- Antidepressants take several weeks to reach their peak effect, so it is important to monitor the suicidal ideation of depressed clients until the risk has subsided.
- Lethality assessment involves determining a client's potential lethality by asking specific questions about their suicidal plan, means, and preparations for death.
- Specific and positive answers to lethality assessment questions increase the client’s likelihood of committing suicide.
- It is important to consider whether the client believes their method is lethal, as this belief poses a significant risk.
- Recognizing and assessing suicidal ideation is critical for providing appropriate support and intervention to prevent suicide.
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