Problem
Case
An 82-year-old male client with a history of major depression was brought to the Emergency Department by his son. The client recently lost his wife of 53 years, moved into an assisted living facility, and had to give up the family pet in order to move. The client had ingested an unknown quantity of sleeping medication and was found unresponsive by his son and daughter-in-law. After stabilizing in the Emergency Department, the client is referred to the mental health unit for hospitalization.
I. What are some risk factors of this client to suicide?
II. List the top three nursing diagnoses.
III. List at least five nursing interventions for suicidal clients.
IV. Identify at least two prognostic expectations for this client.
V. What are precautions the nurse should take to ensure the client is safe?