Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition - Suicide Prevention: Screening, Assessment, and Intervention Related

Review Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition - Suicide Prevention: Screening, Assessment, and Intervention related questions and content

A family member of an adolescent who has expressed a desire to commit suicide asks the nurse, What might predict the possibility of future suicide attempts? Which of the following would the nurse include in the response?

  • A. Unemployment
  • B. Death of a spouse
  • C. Previous suicide attempt
  • D. Polydrug use
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A previous suicide attempt is the strongest predictor of future suicide attempts, as it indicates a history of engaging in life-threatening behavior and suggests persistent suicidal ideation or unresolved risk factors. While unemployment (A), death of a spouse (B), and polydrug use (D) are risk factors, they are less specific predictors compared to a documented prior attempt.