Nurse's Pocket Guide

Guilt
Gay or lesbian youth
DEMOGRAPHIC
Age (e.g., elderly, young adult males, adolescents)
Race (e.g., Caucasian, Native American)
Male gender
Divorced; widowed
PHYSICAL
Physical/terminal illness; chronic pain
SOCIAL
Loss of important relationship; disrupted family life; poor support
systems; social isolation
Grief; loneliness
Hopelessness; helplessness
Legal/disciplinary problem
Cluster suicides
NOTE: A risk diagnosis is not evidenced by signs and symptoms, as
the problem has not occurred and nursing interventions are
directed at prevention.
Desired Outcomes/Evaluation
Criteria—Client Will:
• Acknowledge difficulties perceived in current situation.
• Identify current factors that can be dealt with.
• Be involved in planning course of action to correct existing
problems.
• Make decision that suicide is not the answer to the perceived
problems.
Actions/Interventions
NURSING PRIORITY NO.1.To assess causative/contributing factors:
• Identify degree of risk/potential for suicide and seriousness of
threat. Use a scale of 1 to 10 and prioritize according to severity
of threat, availability of means.
• Note behaviors indicative of intent (e.g., gestures; presence of
means, such as guns; threats; giving away possessions; previous
attempts; and presence of hallucinations or delusions).
Many people signal their intent, particularly to healthcare
providers.
Information in brackets added by the authors to clarify and enhance
the use of nursing diagnoses.
Diagnostic Studies Pediatric/Geriatric/Lifespan Medications 667
risk for SUICIDE