Exam 2 Psy Suicide

What does the nurse need to reflect on?

- Personal beliefs about suicide

- Comfort level asking direct questions

- Emotional reactions after a client's suicide

- Importance of debriefing, peer support, and collab

Suicide defined

A behavior that's influenced by culture, religion, and social norms

What's the assessment for suicide?

1. Intent

2. Plan

3. Means

4. Protective factors

Myths regarding Suicide

- If suicide's talked about, the person won't do it

- Suicidal people only want to hurt themselves not others

- You can't help someone who really wants to kill themselves

- Asking about suicide to a suicidal individual will cause them to commit

- Ignoring suicidal threats or challenging suicide plans will reduce the individual's risk of these behaviors

- People who talk about suicide are only trying to get attention

Risk Factors for Suicide Include..

Biological, Psychosocial, Environmental, Cultural, and Older Adults

What's the most significant predictor of death by suicide?

The patient attempted suicide in the past

Acronym for Identifying Warnings of Suicide Risk

IS PATH WARM

Acronym broken down for identifying warning of suicide risk

Ideation, Substance Abuse, Purposelessness, Anxiety, Trapped, Hopelessness, Withdrawal, Anger, Recklessness, Mood change

What are nurse's assessing in a suicidal patient?

- Presenting symptoms

- Suicidal ideas or acts

- Plan, intent, means

- Family psychiatric history

- Interpersonal support system

- Precipitating stressors

- Protective factors and coping strategies

What inpatient immediate safety measures are assigned for a suicidal patient?

- One-to-one observation or q15 minute checks

- Removal of harmful objects

- Maintaining safety while preserving dignity

- Creating therapeutic milieu

- Giving positive communication

What are the verbal immediate warning signs of suicide?

1. Stating they wanna die or kill themselves

2. Stating they feel hopeless or empty, with no reason to live

3. Stating they feel trapped w/o solutions to problems

4. Stating they feel physical and emotional pain that's unbearable

5. Stating that they feel like a burden

What are the physical immediate warning signs of suicide?

- Withdrawing socially

- Giving away [loved] possessions

- Bidding goodbye to loved ones

- Putting affairs in order

- Engaging in risky behaviors

- Obsessively thinking and talking about death

What are interventions to perform for suicidal patients?

1. Risk assessment and establishing a therapeutic relationship

2. Establishing safety measures

3. Providing crisis intervention

4. Emotional support and building self-esteem

5. Promoting positive coping mechanisms

6. Managing hopelessness

What are the short-term outcomes/goals for a suicidal patient?

- Presence reduced/absence of suicidal ideations

- Ability to care for self

- Alterations in thought processes

- Ability to function and heal in an outpatient setting

- Mood stability

- Knowledge of their disorder

What are the long-term outcomes/goals for a suicidal patient?

- Adherence with medications

- Lack of suicidality

- Functionality in relationships and ilfe

What should you document on a suicidal patient?

- Self harm assessments

- Behaviors (1-1 or q15 mins rounds)

- Quoted statements about suicidal ideations or lack of

- Responses to group, peer interaction, family visits, telephone

What's the most common way to commit suicide?

Gun/Fire arm

What should you educate the suicidal's patient's family on?

- Take the px's statement seriously

- Remove harmful items from home

- Don't leave the person alone

- Seek professional help

- Avoid judgment or guilt-provoking statements