一位六個月前喪偶的高齡病人告訴護理師:「我再也沒有活下去的理由了,一切都感到很空虛。」護理師應優先採取哪項行動?
An older adult client who lost his spouse six months ago tells the nurse, 'I have no reason to live anymore. Everything is empty.' Which action is the nurse's priority?
- ARemind the client that his spouse would want him to be happy.提醒個案他的配偶希望他快樂。
- BAsk the client, 'Are you thinking about hurting yourself or ending your life?'✓ 正解詢問個案:『你有想到傷害自己或結束生命嗎?』
- CAssess the client's nutritional intake and sleep patterns.評估個案的營養攝取和睡眠模式。
- DEncourage the client to join a local grief support group.鼓勵個案參加當地的哀傷支持團體。
面對病人表達絕望感或生存意願降低時,護理師的首要任務是進行「自殺風險評估」。在精神社會完整性(Psychosocial Integrity)的範疇中,安全性(Safety)永遠是第一優先。選項 B 採用了直接、不含糊的詢問方式,這是評估自殺意圖的標準黃金準則。許多人誤以為直接問會「提醒」病人自殺,但臨床研究顯示,直接詢問反而能提供病人表達痛苦的出口,並讓護理師獲得關鍵的安全資料。選項 D 是後續的復健與支持措施。選項 A 是非治療性溝通,帶有說教性質,且可能引發病人的愧疚感。選項 C 雖然是評估憂鬱症的重要生理指標,但在病人明確表達「沒理由活下去」時,直接詢問自殺意圖的迫切性高於生理功能評估。
When a client expresses hopelessness or states they have 'no reason to live,' the nurse's priority is to assess for immediate suicide risk. Directly asking about suicidal ideation is the standard of care to ensure client safety, as it provides an opportunity to intervene if necessary. Other assessments or therapeutic communications are secondary to establishing immediate physical safety.
美國 NCLEX 考試極度強調「直接詢問自殺意圖」的正確性,這是法律與專業倫理的必備步驟。在台灣,受傳統文化影響,部分護理師在溝通上較為委婉,可能不敢直接問「死」字,但在現代護理實務中,兩地皆已接軌國際標準,強調面對風險必須直接詢問、直接評估、直接介入。