A female client who’s at high risk for suicide needs close supervision. To best ensure the client’s safety, nurse Gio should:
a. check the client frequently at irregular intervals throughout the night
b. assure the client that the nurse will hold in confidence anything the client says
c. repeatedly discuss previous suicide attempts with the client
d. disregard decreased communication by the client because this is common in suicidal clients
Answer A.
Checking the client frequently but at irregular intervals prevents the client from predicting when observation will take place and altering behavior in a misleading way at these times. Option B may encourage the client to try to manipulate the nurse or seek attention for having a secret suicide plan. Option C may reinforce suicidal ideas. Decreased communication is a sign of withdrawal that may indicate the client has decided to commit suicide; the nurse shouldn’t disregard it (option D).
a. check the client frequently at irregular intervals throughout the night
b. assure the client that the nurse will hold in confidence anything the client says
c. repeatedly discuss previous suicide attempts with the client
d. disregard decreased communication by the client because this is common in suicidal clients
Answer A.
Checking the client frequently but at irregular intervals prevents the client from predicting when observation will take place and altering behavior in a misleading way at these times. Option B may encourage the client to try to manipulate the nurse or seek attention for having a secret suicide plan. Option C may reinforce suicidal ideas. Decreased communication is a sign of withdrawal that may indicate the client has decided to commit suicide; the nurse shouldn’t disregard it (option D).
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Psychiatric Mental Health