Nokea
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.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse determines that a patient is at imminent risk for suicide. Which of the following would be least appropriate to include in the patient?s plan of care?
- A. Listening intently and nonjudgmentally
- B. Validating the patient?s feelings and experience
- C. Instituting strict restriction on the patient?s activity
- D. Using cognitive interventions to foster hope
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Strict activity restriction (C) is least appropriate for a patient at imminent suicide risk unless there is an immediate safety threat requiring such measures. Listening (A), validating feelings (B), and cognitive interventions (D) are therapeutic and supportive, aligning with best practices for managing suicidal patients.
A nurse is completing an admission assessment of a young adult woman who has a history of depression and who was brought to the hospital by her boyfriend. In response to the nurse?s question regarding suicidal ideation, the patient discloses that she is thinking about killing herself. Which question would be most appropriate for the nurse to ask next?
- A. What does your boyfriend think about your desire to kill yourself?
- B. What are your spiritual beliefs about suicide?
- C. What will killing yourself accomplish?
- D. What thoughts have you had about how you would kill yourself?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a patient expresses suicidal ideation, the nurse?s priority is to assess the specificity and immediacy of the risk by inquiring about a plan, as this indicates the degree of intent and potential lethality. Asking about specific thoughts on how the patient would kill herself (D) is critical for risk assessment. Options A, B, and C, while potentially relevant later, do not directly assess the immediate risk or plan.
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 caring for a 30-year-old white man whose wife has recently died. The patient has been diagnosed with clinical depression and is demonstrating insufficient coping skills. Which action by the nurse would be most important?
- A. Refer the patient for long-term psychotherapy.
- B. Determine the patient?s risk of psychosis.
- C. Determine if anyone in the patient?s family has had depression.
- D. Ask the patient if he is thinking about killing himself.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Given the recent loss and diagnosis of clinical depression, assessing for suicidal ideation (D) is the most critical action to ensure patient safety, as loss and depression are significant suicide risk factors. Psychotherapy referral (A) is important but not immediate. Assessing for psychosis (B) or family history (C) is relevant but secondary to suicide risk assessment.
A nurse has just completed a suicide risk assessment of a 76-year-old widowed man. In addition to documenting the presence or absence of suicidal thoughts, plan, and means, the nurse would also document which of the following?
- A. Use of substances 6 hours before the assessment
- B. Speech patterns
- C. Availability of support resources
- D. Amount of sleep in past 24 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Documenting the availability of support resources (C) is essential in a suicide risk assessment, as social support is a key protective factor that can mitigate risk. Substance use (A), speech patterns (B), and sleep (D) may be relevant but are less directly tied to risk assessment compared to support resources.