Question 5

January 21, 2017

Question:

A patient who you know to be a gun owner comes to you for a physical and admits that he has been feeling really depressed, lately, but says he has not been having suicidal thoughts. You should consider a referral to mental health counseling and:

Answers

Answer:

Make sure not to mention guns, because that might alienate him.

Correct Answer?

Explanation:

Incorrect. There are likely ways to bring up access to a gun without alienating your patient.

Answers

Answer:

Tell him that he should immediately get rid of guns and anything else in his home that he might be able to use to injure himself.

Correct Answer?

Explanation:

Incorrect. This would not be the best course of action because it would likely be impractical advice for the patient.

Answers

Answer:

Call the local police department to report that your depressed patient has a gun in the hopes that they will revoke his gun license.

Correct Answer?

Explanation:

Incorrect. Based on the information provided, the patient has given you no indication that he poses a serious and imminent threat to himself or others, so HIPAA would not allow for such reporting.

Answers

Answer:

Explain that depression does sometimes escalate, unexpectedly, and ask him if he has any concerns about the accessibility of his gun or other items in his household that might cause harm.

Correct Answer?

Explanation:

Correct. Strategizing with the patient about how to mitigate risk is the best course of action in this scenario.

Format:

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