Exam 23: Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior

A nurse counsels a patient with recent suicidal ideation.Which is the nurse's most therapeutic comment?

The feeling experienced by a patient that should be assessed by the nurse as most predictive of elevated suicide risk is:

A depressed patient says,"Nothing matters anymore." What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

Which intervention should a nurse recommend for the distressed family and friends of someone who has committed suicide?

An adolescent tells the school nurse,"My friend threatened to take an overdose of pills." The nurse talks to the friend who verbalized the suicide threat.The most critical question for the nurse to ask would be:

Which individual in the emergency department should be considered at the highest risk for completing suicide?

A nurse answers a suicide crisis line.A caller says,"I live alone in a home several miles from my nearest neighbors.I have been considering suicide for 2 months.I have had several drinks and now my gun is loaded.I'm going to shoot myself in the heart." How would the nurse assess the lethality of this plan?

A college student failed two examinations.The student cried for hours and then tried to call a parent but got no answer.The student then suspended access to his social networking web site.Which suicide risk factors are present? Select all that apply.

A nurse assesses a patient who reports a 3-week history of depression and crying spells.The patient says,"My business is bankrupt,and I was served with divorce papers." Which subsequent statement by the patient alerts the nurse to a concealed suicidal message?

A nurse uses the SAD PERSONS scale to interview a patient.This tool provides data relevant to:

The parents of identical twins ask a nurse for advice.One twin committed suicide a month ago.Now the parents are concerned that the other twin may also have suicidal tendencies.Which reply by the nurse would be most helpful?

A severely depressed patient who has been on suicide precautions tells the nurse,"I am feeling a lot better,so you can stop watching me.I have taken too much of your time already." Which is the nurse's best response?

An adult attempts suicide after declaring bankruptcy.The patient is hospitalized and takes an antidepressant medication for 5 days.The patient is now more talkative and shows increased energy on the unit.Select the highest priority nursing intervention.

Which statement by a patient during an assessment interview should alert the nurse to the patient's need for immediate,active intervention?

A patient who was hospitalized for 2 weeks committed suicide during the night.Which initial measure will be most helpful for staff members and other patients regarding this event?

A patient with suicidal impulses is on the highest level of suicide precautions.Which measures should the nurse incorporate into the patient's plan of care? Select all that apply.

Which understanding about individuals who attempt suicide will help a nurse plan the care for a suicidal patient? Every suicidal person should be considered:

Which changes in brain biochemical function is most associated with suicidal behavior?

A new nurse says to a peer,"My newest patient has schizophrenia.At least I won't have to worry about suicide risk." Which response by the peer would be most helpful?

Four individuals have given information about their suicide plans.Which plan evidences the highest suicide risk?