Nokea
A college student failed two examinations. The student cried for hours and then tried to call a parent but got no answer. The student then suspended access to his social networking web site. Which suicide risk factors are present?
- A. History of earlier suicide attempt
- B. Co-occurring medical illness
- C. Recent stressful life event
- D. Self-imposed isolation
- E. Shame or humiliation
Correct Answer: C,D,E
Rationale: Failing examinations in the academic major constitutes a recent stressful life event. Shame and humiliation related to the failure can be hypothesized. The inability to contact parents can be seen as a recent lack of social support, as can the roommate's absence from the dormitory. Terminating access to one's social networking site represents self-imposed isolation. This scenario does not provide data regarding a history of an earlier suicide attempt, a family history of suicide, or of co-occurring medical illness.
You may also like to solve these questions
A college student who attempted suicide by overdose is hospitalized. When the parents are contacted, they respond, 'There must be a mistake. This could not have happened. We've given our child everything.' What emotional response does the parents' reaction reflect?
- A. Denial
- B. Anger
- C. Anxiety
- D. Projection
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The parents' statements indicate denial. Denial or minimization of suicidal ideation or attempts is a defense against uncomfortable feelings. Family members are often unable to acknowledge suicidal ideation in someone close to them. The feelings suggested in the distractors are not clearly described in the scenario.
When assessing a patient's plan for suicide, what aspect has priority?
- A. Patient's financial and educational status
- B. Patient's insight into suicidal motivation
- C. Availability of means and lethality of method
- D. Quality and availability of patient's social support
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: If a person has definite plans that include choosing a method of suicide readily available, and if the method is one that is lethal (i.e., will cause the person to die with little probability for intervention), the suicide risk is considered high. These areas provide a better indication of risk than the areas mentioned in the other options.
A nurse assesses a patient who reports a 3-week history of depression and crying spells. The patient says, 'My business is bankrupt, and I was served with divorce papers.' Which subsequent statement by the patient alerts the nurse to a concealed suicidal message?
- A. I wish I were dead.'
- B. Life is not worth living.'
- C. I have a plan that will fix everything.'
- D. My family will be better off without me.'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Verbal clues to suicide may be overt or covert. The incorrect options are overt references to suicide. The correct option is more veiled. It alludes to the patient's suicide as being a way to 'fix everything' but does not say it outright.
Which change in brain biochemical function is most associated with suicidal behavior?
- A. Dopamine excess
- B. Serotonin deficiency
- C. Acetylcholine excess
- D. Gamma-aminobutyric acid deficiency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Research suggests that low levels of serotonin may play a role in the decision to commit suicide. The other neurotransmitter alterations have not been implicated in suicidal crises.
A patient recently hospitalized for 2 weeks committed suicide during the night. Which initial measure will be most helpful for staff members and other patients regarding this event?
- A. Request the public information officer to address inquiries from the local media.
- B. Hold a staff meeting to express feelings and plan the care for other patients.
- C. Ask the patient's roommate not to discuss the event with other patients.
- D. Quickly discharge as many patients as possible to prevent panic.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Interventions should be aimed at helping the staff and patients come to terms with the loss and to grow because of the incident. Then, a community meeting should be scheduled to allow other patients to express their feelings and request help. Staff members should be prepared to provide additional support and reassurance to patients and should seek opportunities for peer support. The incorrect options will not control information or may result in unsafe care.