Psychiatric Medications Q 69
Nurse Judy knows that statistics show that in adolescent suicidal behavior:
A. Females use more dramatic methods than males.
B. Males account for more attempts than do females.
C. Females talk more about suicide before attempting it.
D. Males are more likely to use lethal methods than are females.
Correct Answer: D. Males are more likely to use lethal methods than are females
This finding is supported by research; females account for 90% of suicide attempts but males are three times more successful because of methods used. Suicide represents the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the third leading cause of death for children, adolescents, and young adults. In 2014, there were 42,773 suicides in the United States.
Option A: Of the 9.4 million adults with serious thoughts of suicide, 2.7 million reported they had made suicide plans, and 1.1 million made a nonfatal suicide attempt. Among the 1.1 million adults who attempted suicide in the past year, 0.9 million reported making suicide plans, and 0.2 million did not make suicide plans.
Option B: Nearly one-third of adults who had serious thoughts of suicide made suicide plans, and about 1 in 9 adults who had serious thoughts of suicide made a suicide attempt. In other words, more than two-thirds of adults in 2014 who had serious thoughts of suicide did not make suicide plans, and 8 out of 9 adults who had serious thoughts of suicide did not attempt suicide.
Option C: A study of the association between the provision of mental health services and suicide rates found that removing ligature points (places where things like ropes could be attached to) was associated with significant reductions in the overall psychiatric inpatient suicide rate and in the rate of inpatient suicide by hanging. Similarly, assessing other available sources of self-destructive implements such as pills and guns is critical.