An adult female whose fiancé recently called off the wedding attempts suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping medication. Immediately after taking the medication, she calls friends and family to tell them what she has done. Her friends and family activate the emergency response system, and she is taken the emergency department and is admitted to a mental health facility for monitoring. She is exhibiting signs and symptoms most evident of which suicide motivational category?
Refusal to accept a diminished style of life
Cry for help
Preoccupation with suicide
Relieving Distress
The Correct Answer is B
A. This category typically involves a person who is unable or unwilling to come to terms with significant life changes or losses, such as financial difficulties, health problems, or other major life transitions. The patient in the scenario does not seem to be demonstrating a refusal to accept a diminished lifestyle but rather a reaction to a specific event, the end of her engagement.
B. This category describes a situation where the individual’s suicide attempt is not solely intended to result in death but rather is a way of expressing severe distress and seeking help. In this case, the patient’s action of calling friends and family immediately after the overdose indicates that she may have been reaching out for help and wanted others to know what she had done. This behavior aligns with a cry for help, as it reflects a desire for intervention and support rather than a determination to die.
C. This category involves a persistent and obsessive focus on suicidal thoughts or plans. While the patient has attempted suicide, the scenario described does not emphasize a long-standing preoccupation with suicide. Instead, it highlights a reaction to a recent distressing event.
D. This category is characterized by the use of suicide as a means to escape or alleviate intense emotional pain or distress. While this might be a factor in the patient’s behavior, the immediate act of calling friends and family after taking the medication suggests that her intention was more focused on seeking help than solely relieving distress.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Preferring to eat meals while watching TV is a common behavior that is not specifically associated with suicidal ideation. It may simply reflect the adolescent's comfort or routine preferences rather than a sign of continued suicidal intent.
B. Giving away personal belongings, such as a CD collection, can be a sign that the adolescent is making arrangements for their belongings in case of death. This behavior can sometimes suggest that the individual may be planning for their end, which could indicate lingering suicidal thoughts. It's important to explore this behavior further with the adolescent to understand their intentions and state of mind.
C. While avoidance of discussing the suicide attempt may indicate emotional distress or a reluctance to engage, it does not directly point to ongoing suicidal intent. It could also reflect a desire for privacy or difficulty in expressing feelings, rather than a clear indication of suicidal ideation.
D. Adolescents often express a desire to spend more time with peers rather than family, which is a common developmental behavior. This preference alone does not necessarily indicate suicidal intent and is more reflective of typical adolescent social behavior.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic used primarily to treat symptoms of schizophrenia. It helps manage symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. It works by altering the effects of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine and serotonin.
B. Risperidone is not typically used as a first-line treatment for anxiety disorders. While it can have some impact on mood and agitation, anxiety is usually treated with medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or benzodiazepines. Risperidone might be used in cases where anxiety is part of a broader psychotic disorder, but it is not the primary treatment for anxiety alone.
C. Risperidone is not commonly used to treat ADHD. ADHD is typically managed with stimulant medications like methylphenidate or amphetamines, or non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine. Risperidone might be used off-label in some cases if ADHD symptoms are severe and co- occurring with other disorders, but it is not a standard treatment for ADHD.
D. Risperidone is not primarily used to treat depression. Depression is typically treated with antidepressants, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, or other classes of antidepressants. Risperidone might be used as an adjunct medication in cases where depression is accompanied by psychotic symptoms or severe mood disturbances, but it is not a primary treatment for depression alone.
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