Abstract
Clinical Assessment of the Suicidal Patient in the Emergency Department
Pellitier L R~~Cousins A
Nurses in the emergency department are presented with patients who can see no alternative to their dysphoria other than to kill themselves. A self-assessment of beliefs & attitudes about suicide is essential for the nurse’s self-understanding within this context. Assessment of the suicidal patient includes demographic variables & lethality. A rapid assessment tool developed by Resnik can be used to assist the nurse in this assessment.