KIM FULMERHOUSER

INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE STATEMENT: THE AIM OF THIS
PRESENTATION IS TO HIGHLIGHT THE SEVERITY AND
BEHAVIORAL PRECURSORS OF SUICIDE AS A PREVENTABLE
NURSING AND PSYCHIATRIC CONDITION AND TO OFFER
SUGGESTIONS ON HOW NURSES MAY CLINICALLY INTERVENE TO
HELP FAMILIES BETTER COPE WITH A SUICIDAL LOVED ONE
THROUGH EDUCATION

EVIDENCE FOR CARE
SUICIDE IDEATION

RISK FACTORS

POPULATION



EVIDENCE FOR CARE

NURSING CARE PROBLEM
SUN AND LONG
EDUCATING FAMILIES




EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE
METHODS OF RESEARCH

RESULTS OF RESEARCH

EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE
CONTD
JOURNAL
LIMITATIONS CONCLUSION
THEORIST R/T STUDY





PATIENT CARE DESIGN




DEPRESSION IS THE NUMBER ONE MOOD INDICATOR
OF SUICIDE FOLLOWED BY PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
Suicide
(Videbeck, 2014, p.
308)
TRUEPIC- Suicide
Situation: Rita is a 39 year old Hispanic female who was admitted to the clinic for attempted suicide after taking an overdose
of her antidepressant medication. During her initial assessment, she stated that she lost her job and is currently going through a
divorce. She admits she has been drinking heavily for the past month, which is when she was diagnosed with major depression.
She is currently taking Prozac (fluoxetine). Rita feels that her medication is not helping her cope with her situation and that she
has no reason to live any longer and that she just wants to end the pain. She is angry about surviving her suicide attempt. Her
mental health assessment reveals that she is extremely depressed with the intent to do herself bodily harm. She also reports that
she is unlikely to follow through with aftercare of anysort.

1.IDENTIFY
the variables in this
situation

39 yr. old female

Major Depression and
Suicidal

Alchohol abuse

Recent job loss

Going through divorce

Medication overdose




2. RELATEOr put the variables together to form propositions.

Primary Proposition: Pt. just wants the pain to end


Possible Assumptions: The pt. wants help with her suicidal feelings


Possible Confounding Variables: Pt. is angry she survived and is
unlikely to follow through with any medical interventions
3. UNDERSTANDthe importance of the
propositions, assumptions, and confounding
variables.

Proposition: If she does not get the proper
medical attention than she will successfully kill
herself

Significance of Assumptions: If she decides to
follow through with Cognitive behavior therapy
or another form of Psychotherapy along with
medication intervention she may resolve her
suicidal ideation

Possible Confounding Variables: If she does
not quit abusing alcohol and does not want to
follow through with medical interventions and
therapists than she will likely still feel the same
way about her life




4. EXPLAINthe significance of the
situation to those involved based on their
individual KSVME

Proposition: In basic terms that the pt. can
understand explain the importance of not using
alcohol while taking antidepressants. Educate the
pt. on how the medication works and its effects
and reporting any ill feelings to the healthcare
team immediately

Assumptions: Explain how Psychotherapy and
the right medications can help her cope with her
feelings
Confounding Variables: She may not want to
follow through with psychotherapy and
medications due to her current feelings about not
wanting to live
5. PREDICTwhat will happen in this
situation if one or more variables are not
changed.
Proposition: If she does not want to get help
for her depression than she will try to
commit suicide again
Assumptions: If she decides to want the
proper help via psychotherapy and
medications than it will help her to not want
to commit suicide. This will teach her
different methods of coping with her
depression
Confounding Variables: If she feels that the
medication was not helping her the first time
than she may feel reluctant in wanting to get
any further help.


6. INFLUENCEsomeone to change one or more
variables in order to achieve a desired outcome or prevent
an undesirable one.
Proposition: Help her to understand that the depression
medication and alcohol abuse should not happen. That this
may be the cause of her suicide attempt
Assumptions: Educate patient on ways to help cope with
suicidal thoughts
Confounding Variables: Help her to understand the
benefits of what psychotherapy and the right medications
can have on her feelings of depression and suicidal ideation


7. CONTROLone or more variables in order to achieve a desired outcome or
prevent an undesirable one. To control isnt an issue of wanting to dominate or do what
is unreasonable or unwanted, but simply a matter of changing one or more variables in
order to bring about a desired outcome when influence is not possible, realistic, or
advisable.
Pt. is not allowed to use alcohol while on antidepressants and when undergoing
psychotherapy. She is to use the methods taught to her during her psychotherapy
sessions until she has lowered her depression and suicidal intentions
ADVOCATE ROLE
HEALTH CARE TEAM

FAMILY/FRIENDS

SPIRITUAL AFFILIATION



ADVOCATE ROLE CONTD


MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION
ADOLESCENTS
DETECTING EARLY RISK FACTORS


ADVOCATE ROLE CONTD

SUICIDE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS/FAMILY
EMPATHY


REFERENCES

SUN, F.K., CHIANG, C.Y., LIN, Y.H., AND CHEN, T.B. (2013). SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
OF A SUICIDE EDUCATION INTERVENTION FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF
PEOPLE WHO ARE SUICIDAL. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, 23(1-2), 91-102.
VIDEBECK, S. (2014). PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING. PHILADELPHIA,
PA: WOLTERS KLUWER HEALTH, LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS