A nurse in a mental health clinic is collecting data from a client to determine the client's risk for suicide. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a risk factor for suicide? (Select all that apply.)
Currently married
Alcohol use disorder
Sibling history of suicide
Access to guns in the home
Terminal liver cancer
Correct Answer : B,C,D,E
A. Being married is generally considered a protective factor against suicide. Married individuals often have social support and a sense of belonging, which can reduce suicide risk. Therefore, this would not be identified as a risk factor for suicide.
B. Alcohol use disorder is a significant risk factor for suicide. Alcohol can impair judgment, increase impulsivity, and exacerbate underlying mental health issues. It is associated with higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts.
C. Family history of suicide, including among siblings, is a known risk factor. Exposure to suicide within the family can contribute to feelings of hopelessness, increase perceived acceptability of suicide, and impact mental health negatively.
D. Access to firearms is a well-established risk factor for completed suicide. Firearms are highly lethal, and their presence increases the likelihood of a fatal suicide attempt compared to other means.
E. Terminal illness, including conditions like terminal liver cancer, can contribute to feelings of hopelessness and despair, potentially increasing suicide risk. The distress related to the prognosis and physical symptoms can exacerbate mental health issues.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Unlike anorexia nervosa, where individuals typically appear underweight, people with bulimia nervosa often maintain a body weight within the normal or even overweight range. This can make it challenging to identify based on physical appearance alone, as individuals may hide their binge-eating and purging behaviors.
B. Individuals with bulimia nervosa often engage in episodes of binge-eating, during which they consume large amounts of food in a short period and feel a loss of control over their eating. This is followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain.
C. Bulimia nervosa does not directly increase the risk of developing diabetes mellitus. However, the binge-eating episodes characteristic of bulimia can lead to metabolic disturbances and insulin resistance over time. This can potentially increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in individuals who are predisposed or have other risk factors.
D. While self-induced vomiting is a common purging method in bulimia nervosa, there are other ways individuals may attempt to compensate for binge-eating episodes, such as excessive exercise, fasting, or misuse of laxatives or diuretics. The key diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa include recurrent episodes of binge-eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D","E"]
Explanation
A. Lanugo refers to fine, soft hair that can develop on the face, back, and other parts of the body in response to malnutrition and low body fat. It is a compensatory mechanism to help regulate body temperature in individuals with severe weight loss, including those with anorexia nervosa. Therefore, the nurse should expect to find lanugo in a client with anorexia nervosa.
B. Cold extremities are a common finding in individuals with anorexia nervosa due to reduced body fat and poor circulation. The body's natural response to conserve heat is impaired when body fat is extremely low. Therefore, cold extremities are expected in clients with anorexia nervosa.
C. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, can occur in individuals with anorexia nervosa due to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances (such as low potassium levels), and reduced cardiac output. These conditions are often associated with severe malnutrition and can lead to cardiovascular complications. Therefore, hypotension is a potential finding in clients with anorexia nervosa.
D. Tooth erosion can result from frequent vomiting, which is a behavior sometimes seen in individuals with anorexia nervosa, particularly those with purging subtype (anorexia nervosa binge-eating/purging type). Stomach acid from vomiting can damage tooth enamel over time, leading to tooth erosion. Therefore, the nurse should expect to find tooth erosion in clients who engage in purging behaviors.
E. Diarrhea is less commonly associated with anorexia nervosa. Individuals with anorexia nervosa typically have reduced food intake, which can lead to constipation rather than diarrhea. However, in some cases, diarrhea can occur due to malnutrition-related changes in bowel function. It is not a consistent finding but can occasionally be observed.
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