Suicidal Thoughts And Behavior

Front 1

act of intentionally ending one’s own life and opting for nonexistence

Back 1

Suicide

Front 2

Includes all willful, self-inflicted life-threatening attempts that have not led to death

Back 2

Suicide attempt

Front 3

Person is thinking about self-harm

Back 3

Suicide ideation

Front 4

Movement supporting right of mentally competent adults to humanely end their own suffering
Strict guidelines apply, few jurisdictions legally sanction this “right to die”

Back 4

Physician-assisted suicide (PAS)

Front 5

Described suicide as murderous attack on an ambivalently loved, internalized significant person

Back 5

Fred

Front 6

Proposed victims of suicide suffer unbearable psychological pain, isolation, and perception that death is only solution

Back 6

Shneidman

Front 7

Women have more suicide_____ Men have more suicide_______

Back 7

attempts
completions

Front 8

Suicide: Developmental Risk Factors

Back 8

Adolescents and young adults
Third leading cause of death (ages 14-24)
Other risks include substance abuse, aggression, disruptive behaviors, depression, social isolation

Front 9

Older adults
Ages 65 and older______ rate of suicide

Back 9

highest

Front 10

Important to diagnose/treat depression in this age-group, Why

Back 10

highest rate of suicide

Front 11

T or F
Suicide threats need to be taken seriously, including overt and covert statements

Back 11

True

Front 12

Recognize behavioral clues, mention few

Back 12

Sudden changes: giving away possessions, writing farewell notes, making one’s will/putting affairs in order
Sudden improvement after being depressed/withdrawn
Neglecting personal hygiene

Front 13

T or F
Always ask person suspected of being at risk, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”

Back 13

True

Front 14

HOw do you assess suicide plan

Back 14

Assess suicide plan, including intent, lethality, availability of means, any injury suffered
Determine support systems, including community supports if person will be managed on outpatient basis

Front 15

Common nursing diagnoses

Back 15

Risk for suicide, Ineffective coping, Hopelessness, Social isolation, Spiritual distress

Front 16

Crisis intervention aimed at

Back 16

optimizing events and environmental factors to minimize self-destructive acts

Front 17

Specific goals:

Back 17

help explore alternatives to suicide, increase coping skills, minimize social isolation

Front 18

Planning directed toward:

Back 18

Crisis intervention
Long-term treatment of any co-occurring mental illness

Front 19

Nursing Interventions for Crisis Period

Back 19

Follow institutional protocol
Suicide precautions
Suicide observation
Keep accurate records of patient behavior, documenting activity q 15 minutes or as per protocol
Establish no suicide contract
Encourage patient to discuss feelings/problem-solving alternatives

Front 20

Nursing Interventions Postcrisis Period

Back 20

Arrange for patient to stay with family/friends; if no one available, hospitalization
Weapons/pills removed by family/friends
Encourage patient to discuss feelings
Encourage patient to avoid decisions during crisis

Front 21

Post-Crisis
supply only __ days worth of medication

Back 21

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