Chapter 15 Mood Disorders.ppt

Suicide (cont’d) Nurse’s response Need for unconditional positive regard for person Avoidance of client blame Nonjudgmental approach, tone Belief that one person can make a difference in another’s life Possible devastation of staff if client commits suicide Legal and Ethical Considerations Assisted suicide as topic of national legal, ethical debate (Oregon first state to adopt assisted suicide into law) Nurse often cares for terminally or chronically ill people with poor quality of life Nurse’s role to provide supportive care for clients, family as they work through decision-making process