A Patient Who Has Attempted Suicide by Taking a Handful

question 9

Multiple Choice

A patient who has attempted suicide by taking a handful of ibuprofen (Motrin) is admitted to the mental health unit.She had attempted suicide three times previously,each by overdose on over-the-counter medications,and in each case was found by family or peers in time to prevent her death,eventually being admitted to this mental health unit each time.Which of the following nursing responses would be most appropriate?

• A) Search her and her belongings for pills and other dangerous objects,then minimize the attention given to her by staff in order to reduce secondary gains.
• B) When medically stable,confront her with her pattern of maladaptive coping,noting that the low lethality of her attempts suggests she is seeking attention.
• C) Discuss with her family ways that they can reduce her attention-seeking suicide gestures by keeping all medications locked and not responding to histrionic behavior.
• D) Place her on one-to-one observation because her history of previous attempts suggests she is at high risk of suicide;once medically stable,begin intensive psychiatric treatment.

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Definitions:

Choline Acetyltransferase

An enzyme responsible for synthesizing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, crucial for muscular function and memory.

Acetylcholine Synthesis

The production process of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial for many functions ranging from muscle stimulation to memory.

Vesicular Traffic

The process of transport and exchange of vesicles containing proteins and other molecules within a cell, crucial for cellular function and communication.

Cognitive Decline

Gradual loss of cognitive functions including memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities, often associated with aging or neurological conditions.