Nokea
The nurse is reviewing the medical records of several patients diagnosed with major depression. The nurse identifies which patient as least likely to commit suicide?
- A. Divorced man
- B. Widowed woman
- C. Single woman
- D. Married man
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Social support, particularly from a stable marital relationship, is a protective factor against suicide. A married man (D) is likely to have more social and emotional support, reducing suicide risk compared to those who are divorced (A), widowed (B), or single (C), who may experience greater isolation or loss, increasing vulnerability to suicidal behavior in the context of major depression.
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A nurse is presenting a discussion for a local community group about suicide. Which comment from an audience member indicates the need to clarify the information?
- A. Warning signs about the person?s intention often occur.
- B. People who are suicidal are undecided about living or dying.
- C. Suicides more often occur during the holiday seasons.
- D. People who talk about suicide need to be taken seriously.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The comment that suicides more often occur during the holiday seasons (C) is a common myth. Research shows no consistent increase in suicides during holidays; risk is more tied to individual factors. The other comments (A, B, D) are accurate: warning signs are common, suicidal individuals are often ambivalent, and suicide talk must be taken seriously.
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 patient was admitted to the psychiatric unit 3 days ago because of suicidal ideation. His suicidal risk has lessened considerably, and he currently denies having any desire to kill himself. In addition, he is able to identify reasons why he wants to be alive. Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate at this time?
- A. Assigning nursing staff to stay with him during his suicidal crisis
- B. Developing a personal plan for managing suicidal thoughts when they occur
- C. Advising the patient that he should consider electroconvulsive therapy treatments
- D. Administering psychotropic drugs that decrease the patient?s serotonin levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Since the patient?s risk has decreased and he is identifying reasons to live, developing a personal plan for managing suicidal thoughts (B) is appropriate to empower him and prevent future crises. Constant supervision (A) is unnecessary given the reduced risk. Electroconvulsive therapy (C) is not indicated without severe, treatment-resistant depression. Decreasing serotonin (D) would worsen depression.
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.
A nurse determines that a patient has poor social skills that have interfered with his ability to engage others, which has contributed to his feelings of purposelessness, hopelessness, and withdrawal. Which of the following would be most important to assist the patient in beginning to social skills?
- A. Self-help group
- B. Recovery group
- C. Nurse-patient relationship
- D. Limit setting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse-patient relationship (C) provides a safe, therapeutic environment to model and practice social skills, addressing the patient?s isolation and hopelessness. Self-help (A) and recovery groups (B) are beneficial but less individualized, while limit setting (D) is unrelated to social skill development.