A 16-year-old boy is brought to a regional emergency department by his mother, who found messages in which he…

Question

A 16-year-old boy is brought to a regional emergency department by his mother, who found messages in which he described wanting to die. Seen alone, he says he has not attended school for three weeks, has lost 5 kg, and for the past fortnight has thought each night about using his father's rifle, which is kept in an unlocked cabinet in the shed. He is not intoxicated and has no injuries. You have completed a risk assessment and the on-call psychiatry registrar will review him within the hour. Whi…

Accepted Answer

Arrange removal of the rifle from home

Answer

Arrange a headspace appointment for next week

Answer

Commence fluoxetine 10 mg each morning

Answer

Obtain a collateral history from his father

Answer

Provide written safety-planning material

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