A student said she wanted to discuss an issue with the nurse but that

A student said she wanted to discuss an issue with the nurse but that it was confidential. Therefore, she asks the nurse to promise as a professional to keep this a secret.

She then shares that her roommate is very depressed; her older sister committed suicide, and she is planning on killing herself if she does not pass her final examinations. Which of the following actions should be taken by the nurse?
a.
As a professional who made a promise, the nurse teaches the student how to recognize if her roommate is getting ready to actually do it and the phone number of the suicide hot line.
b.
As secrecy was promised, the nurse can only encourage the student to encourage her roommate to seek help.
c.
The nurse should give the student brochures and information plus the suicide hotline phone number to share with her roommate.
d.
The nurse should stress that one cannot keep a secret when someone’s life is at stake and immediately go to assess the roommate.

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: D
Suicide is preventable. Most people want to live but sometimes cannot see any other alternative. Now that the nurse knows the roommate is talking about suicide, the nurse cannot agree to keep the secret but must intervene and seek immediate help.