As a medical assistant, you notice that a patient appears withdrawn and has recently expressed feelings of hopelessness during their visit. When screening for risk factors associated with self-harm, which of the following actions should you prioritize to best align with the established protocols?
Inform the provider immediately about your observations and concerns.
Advise the patient to seek counseling without further consultation from the provider.
Document your observations in the patient's record and continue with routine tasks.
Wait until the end of the day to discuss the patient's behavior with the healthcare team.
The best answer is to inform the provider immediately. This is the most critical action to take when a patient shows signs of hopelessness or other suicide risk factors, as it allows the healthcare provider to conduct a thorough assessment and make appropriate interventions. Waiting until the end of the day or documenting your observations without informing the provider can lead to delays in potentially life-saving care. While documenting in the patient's record is important, it should not take precedence over promptly informing the provider.
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What are common signs that indicate a patient may be at risk for self-harm?
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