A Depressed Patient Admitted Following a Suicide Attempt by Overdose

question 10

Multiple Choice

A depressed patient admitted following a suicide attempt by overdose of sedatives states, "I don't feel like signing your papers.My partner should have let me die." What level of suicide precautions should the nurse apply?

• A) No precautions because the patient is in a secure setting
• B) Routine observation that is appropriate for all patients
• C) One-to-one continuous supervision by staff members
• D) Observation by staff members every 15 minutes

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Definitions:

Normative Influence

Social influence whereby individuals change their behavior or attitudes to conform to norms or expectations of a group to gain acceptance or approval.

Prior Commitment

An individual’s agreement in advance to be responsible if trouble occurs: for example, committing oneself to protect the property of another person against theft.

Social Role Theory

A theory that suggests much of social behavior can be understood by the roles individuals assume, which are influenced by societal norms and expectations.

Moriarty

Typically refers to Professor James Moriarty, a fictional character in the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, often depicted as Holmes' archenemy.