An occupational health nurse is preparing for an initial meeting with a committee that is planning a health fair for an industrial work site.
The nurse should instruct the committee members to take which of the following actions first?

The nurse should expect the client to exhibit euphoria after injecting heroin 1 hr ago. Euphoria is a common effect of heroin use and is characterized by intense feelings of happiness and well-being.

Choice A is not the best answer because tachypnea, or rapid breathing, is not a common effect of heroin use.

Choice B is not the best answer because heroin use typically causes pupils to constrict, not dilate.

Choice D is not the best answer because nystagmus, or involuntary eye movement, is not a common effect of heroin use.

People living with HIV/AIDS have a much higher risk of suicide than the general population1.Some of the risk factors for suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide deaths in this group are depression, advanced disease, neurological changes, stigma, poor social support, negative life events, physical pain and fear of rejection.

Based on these risk factors, the response by the client that indicates a higher risk for suicide isd. “I am afraid of experiencing pain near the end.”This response suggests that the client has a low perception of their physical health, a fear of losing control and a pessimistic outlook on their future.These are signs of hopelessness, which is a strong predictor of suicide.

The other responses do not necessarily indicate a high risk for suicide, although they may reflect some challenges that the client is facing. For example, response a. may indicate a desire for autonomy and dignity, response b. may indicate a coping strategy or denial, and response c. may indicate a source of emotional support or dependency. However, these responses do not imply that the client is thinking about harming themselves or ending their life.

Therefore, the home health nurse should assess the client’s level of hopelessness, suicidal ideation and suicide plan, and provide appropriate interventions and referrals to prevent a possible suicide attempt. The nurse should also monitor the client’s mood, pain, medication adherence and social support, and offer education, counseling and resources to improve the client’s quality of life.