Urgent Risk Area: Prioritizing Patient Care
1(a). An Urgent Risk Area (Prioritizing Patient Care)
The urgent risk area for Chung is the experiencing of fleeting thoughts of suicide. This has been identified because patients experiencing depression usually have tendencies of being suicidal and hence immediate care is needed so that these people do not commit suicide. He has developed suicidal thoughts due to depression which has resulted due to his continuing long hours, night shift work, the high pressure of an Accident and Emergency department, Charlotte’s birth as he feels that he is not involved in her upbringing and his wife’s deteriorating health. The signs of depression he has to include; anxiety, insomnia, low in mood, fear of a heart attack and suicidal thoughts (Franklin et al. 2017).
(b). Interventions To Address Suicidal Thoughts Due To Depression (Terms Of Safety Management)
Patient To Be Given 24 Hour Care
The nurse should ensure that Chung can receive help 24/7 and this can be done by giving the patient a 24-hour hotline emergency phone number and direct how and when to use it. This will ensure that the patient can get help when needed to avoid suicidal thoughts or attempts and depression.
Help The Patient To Identify And Solve The Underlying Reason For Suicide And Depression
The nurse to help the patient to identify the cause of depression which leads to his suicidal thoughts. This can be through the identification of feelings, thoughts and behaviours that leads to Chung wanting to commit suicide (Townsend & Morgan, 2017).
2(a). Mental Health Concern (Less Urgent Issue)
The mental health issues that Chung has is depression. This concern has been identified as Chung has signs and symptoms of depression which include; anxiety, insomnia, low in mood, fear of a heart attack and suicidal thoughts (Kendler, 2016).
(b). Nursing Intervention To Address Depression
Active Listening and Presence
The nurse should listen to the reasons that make Chung be depressed which include; lack of active involvement in his own wedding, demanding job, scrutiny by the medical board due to the error he made and his wife’s deteriorating health and advise him on how to deal with these emotions. Listening is caring hence Chung will feel loved hence eradicate negative feelings.
Family And Other Social Group Involvement
Chung family should be included in his management by arranging crisis counselling to reduce depression. Chung should also be encouraged to join self-help groups. Depressed persons need a network of resources so as to reduce the feelings that lead to depression. This will help Chung since it encourages him to express his feelings of anger, guilt and sadness which is the first step in overcoming depression (Townsend & Morgan, 2017).
- Legal, Ethical/Professional Issues
Confidentiality
The nurse treating Chung should ensure the confidentiality of the information that he shares on medical treatment and records. This principle is so important since in the field of mental health patients should be assured the information they share is for treatment only (Tribe & Morrissey, 2015).
Informed Consent
Informed consent is the process in which all the information about treatment options, alternatives as well as risks are shared with patients (Tribe & Morrissey, 2015). Therefore, the nurse caring for Chung should provide him with an informed consent to ensure that he makes informed wise decisions.
References
Franklin, J. C., Ribeiro, J. D., Fox, K. R., Bentley, K. H., Kleiman, E. M., Huang, X., … & Nock, M. K. (2017). Risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A meta-analysis of 50 years of research. Psychological Bulletin, 143(2), 187.
Kendler, K. S. (2016). The phenomenology of major depression and the representativeness and nature of DSM criteria. American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(8), 771-780.
Townsend, M. C., & Morgan, K. I. (2017). Psychiatric mental health nursing: Concepts of care in evidence-based practice. FA Davis.
Tribe, R., & Morrissey, J. (Eds.). (2015). Handbook of professional and ethical practice for psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists. Routledge.