A nurse is preparing to administer amantadine 150 mg PO every 12 hr. The available medication is amantadine 50 mg/5 mL syrup.

How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?

The correct answer(s) is/are:

C. Telling his parents that he doesn't want to talk about the suicide attempt.

Rationale:

Choice A: Planning to give his Xbox console to his best friend.

While giving away possessions can be a sign of hopelessness or detachment, in this case, it could also be interpreted as a gesture of closure or wanting to leave something meaningful behind for a loved one. It doesn't necessarily indicate ongoing suicidal intent.

Choice B: Stating that he wants to be with his peers more than with his parents.

This desire for social connection and autonomy is actually a positive sign in a post-suicidal attempt adolescent. It demonstrates a shift towards seeking support from outside the family unit and engaging with life beyond the immediate aftermath of the attempt.

Choice C: Telling his parents that he doesn't want to talk about the suicide attempt. This reluctance to discuss the attempt can be a red flag for several reasons:

Avoidance: Suppressing or avoiding thoughts and feelings related to the attempt can indicate a struggle to cope with the emotional trauma and potentially harboring lingering suicidal ideation.

Isolation: Withdrawing from open communication about the event can isolate the adolescent further, hindering the support system and potentially increasing the risk of reattempt.

Underlying distress: The inability to talk about the event may suggest unresolved emotional distress, unresolved conflicts, or ongoing stressors that could contribute to suicidal thoughts.

Therefore, while not wanting to talk doesn't definitively signify current suicidal intent, it warrants further exploration by the nurse to understand the underlying reasons behind the avoidance and ensure appropriate support and safety measures are in place.

Choice D: Preferring to eat his meals while watching TV.

This behavior is relatively neutral and doesn't directly suggest ongoing suicidal intent. While it might indicate depression or low motivation, it's not a specific indicator of suicide risk.

Conclusion:

Based on the rationale above, "telling his parents that he doesn't want to talk about the suicide attempt" (Choice C) is the most concerning behavior that suggests the adolescent might still have suicidal intent. It's crucial for the nurse to address this reluctance with empathy and understanding, exploring the underlying reasons and ensuring continued monitoring and support for the adolescent.

To calculate the amount of fluoxetine to administer, we can use the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the desired dose, which is 40 mg.

Step 2: Identify the available dose, which is 20 mg/5 mL.

Step 3: Set up the equation to solve for the unknown, which is the volume in mL. The equation is (Desired Dose ÷ Available Dose) × Volume = Volume to Administer.

Step 4: Substitute the known values into the equation: (40 mg ÷ 20 mg) × 5 mL = Volume to Administer. Step 5: Solve the equation: 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL.

So, the nurse should administer 10 mL of fluoxetine.