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A nurse is with an adolescent who tells the nurse that she has nothing to live for and she just wishes she was dead. Which nursing action would be the priority?
- A. Going to the patient?s psychiatrist to tell him of the girl?s suicidal ideation
- B. Staying with the patient to explore more of her thoughts about suicide
- C. Putting the patient in seclusion with a staff assigned to watch her at all times
- D. Ascertaining the client?s beliefs about what happens when you die
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority is to ensure the patient?s safety by staying with her and exploring her suicidal thoughts (B), which allows for immediate risk assessment and therapeutic engagement. Notifying the psychiatrist (A) is important but secondary to direct patient contact. Seclusion (C) is inappropriate unless the patient poses an immediate danger, and exploring beliefs about death (D) is less urgent than assessing current risk.
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The nurse is caring for a group of hospitalized patients with various psychiatric diagnoses. The nurse identifies which patient as having the greatest risk for a suicide attempt?
- A. Man with bipolar I disorder
- B. Woman with acute stress disorder
- C. Man with major depressive disorder
- D. Woman with somatoform disorder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Major depressive disorder is strongly associated with a high risk of suicide due to persistent feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and despair, which are core symptoms. Studies indicate that individuals with major depressive disorder have a significantly higher suicide risk compared to other psychiatric conditions. Bipolar I disorder (A) carries a risk, particularly during depressive episodes, but the risk is generally lower than in major depressive disorder. Acute stress disorder (B) is typically short-term and less associated with suicide. Somatoform disorder (D) focuses on physical symptoms and has a lower direct link to suicide.
A nurse is performing an assessment of a patient with suicidal ideation. Which question would the nurse most likely ask to determine the degree of planning?
- A. How seriously do you want to die?
- B. Have you attempted suicide before?
- C. Could you stop yourself from killing yourself?
- D. How much do the thoughts distress you?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Asking if the patient could stop themselves from killing themselves (C) directly assesses the degree of control and planning, indicating the specificity of their suicidal intent. Other options (A, B, D) provide related information but do not specifically address the plan?s feasibility.
After teaching a group of students about the various concepts involving suicide, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students describe parasuicide as which of the following?
- A. Voluntary act of killing oneself
- B. All suicide-related behaviors and suicidal thoughts
- C. Nonfatal act with the intent to die
- D. Voluntary attempt without death as the aim
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Parasuicide (D) refers to intentional self-harm without the aim of death, distinguishing it from suicide (A), suicidality (B), or nonfatal acts with lethal intent (C). It often serves as a coping mechanism or cry for help.
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.
The nurse is providing a presentation for a group of health professionals about suicide. Which of the following would the nurse address as a major contributing factor to the rising suicide rate among men?
- A. Substance abuse
- B. Media influences
- C. Lack of conflict resolution skills
- D. Parenting practices
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Substance abuse (A) is a major contributing factor to the rising suicide rate among men, as it exacerbates mental health issues, impairs judgment, and increases impulsivity, all of which heighten suicide risk. Media influences (B), lack of conflict resolution skills (C), and parenting practices (D) may contribute indirectly but are less significant compared to substance abuse.