Chapter 16 Suicide

A nurse is completing an admission assessment of a young adult client who has a history of depression, and who was brought to the hospital by a friend. In response to the nurse's question regarding suicidal ideation, the client discloses that they often think about attempting suicide. Which question is appropriate for the nurse to ask? A) "What does your friend 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?"

D

13) The nurse determines that a client is at imminent risk for suicide. Which priorities are most appropriate to include in the client's plan of care? (Select all that apply.) A) Listening intently and nonjudgmentally B) Validating the client's feelings and experience C) Instituting strict restriction on the client's activity D) Using cognitive interventions to foster hope

A, B, D

12. A client comes to the clinic for an evaluation of headache, fatigue, and an overall feeling of sadness. When assessing the client, which statement by the client would alert the nurse to suspect possible suicide? (Select all that apply.) A) "I've been drinking about three or four more beers every night." B) "I've been going out with my friends about once or twice a week." C) "I'm so tired that all I ever want to do is sleep all the time." D) "Most times, I feel like I'm trapped with no way out." E) "I'm looking for a new job because my job is so stressful."

A, C, D

A nurse has discussed suicide prevention information with a client suffering with moderately severe acute depression. Which client statement(s) demonstrates that the implementation of effective suicide prevention education has occurred? (Select all that apply.) A. "My brother has been there for me and I am so grateful." B. "I have got some hope now that medication seems to be working." C. "It is sad when committing suicide seems to be your only option." D. "It felt good being able to help my mom with the house repair she needed done." E. "Going to the support group has certainly given my a lot if information about depression."

Ans: A, B, D, E

. 2. The nurse is reviewing the electronic health records of several clients diagnosed with major depression. The nurse identifies which client as most likely to commit suicide? A) Divorced man B) Widowed man C) Woman living with a roommate D) Married woman

B

11. After presenting to a group on factors that enhance the risk of suicide, the nurse determines the need for additional education when the group identifies which item as a risk factor? A) Family member committing suicide B) Cautiousness C) Delusions D) Loss

B

19. A nurse is with an adolescent who tells the nurse that there is nothing to live for and that the client just wishes to be dead. Which nursing action is appropriate? A) Telling the client's psychiatrist of the client's suicidal ideation B) Staying with the client to explore more of the client's thoughts about suicide C) Putting the client in seclusion with a staff assigned to watch the client at all times D) Ascertaining the client's beliefs about what happens when you die

B

8. A client was admitted to the psychiatric unit 3 days ago because of suicidal ideation. The client's suicidal risk has lessened considerably, and the client currently denies having any desire to perform suicide. In addition, the client is able to identify reasons to be alive. Which nursing intervention is appropriate A) Assigning nursing staff to stay with the client during this suicidal crisis B) Developing a personal plan for managing suicidal thoughts when they occur C) Advising the client to consider electroconvulsive therapy treatments D) Administering psychotropic drugs that decrease the client's serotonin levels

B

1. The nurse is caring for a group of hospitalized clients with various psychiatric diagnoses. The nurse identifies which client 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

C

16. A nurse is performing an assessment of a client with suicidal ideation. Which question should the nurse 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?"

C

17. A nurse determines that a client has poor social skills that have interfered with their ability to engage others, which has contributed to the client's feelings of purposelessness, hopelessness, and withdrawal. Which recommendation is most important for the nurse to make in order to help the client begin to develop social skills? A) Self-help group B) Recovery group C) Interpersonal nurse-client relationship D) Limit setting

C

3. 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 element would the nurse include in the response? A) Unemployment B) Death of a spouse C) Previous suicide attempt D) Polydrug use

C

9. 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) "Asking about suicide, may put the idea in people's heads." D) "People who talk about suicide need to be taken seriously."

C

10. A group of nurses are reviewing information about suicide and associated concepts. The group demonstrates understanding of the information when they define which term as the probability that a person will successfully complete suicide? A) Parasuicide B) Suicidal ideation C) Suicidality D) Lethality

D

18. After educating a group of new nurses on various concepts involving suicide, the nurse determines that the education was successful when the new nurses provide which definition for the term parasuicide? 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

D

5. The nurse is caring for a 30-year-old white man whose wife recently died. The client has been diagnosed with clinical depression and is demonstrating insufficient coping skills. Which action by the nurse would be most important? A) Refer the client for long-term psychotherapy. B) Determine the client's risk of psychosis. C) Determine whether anyone in the client's family has had depression. D) Ask the client whether he is thinking about killing himself.

D

14. A client who has attempted suicide has an underlying diagnosis of depression. Which of the following would the nurse anticipate being ordered for the client? A) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor B) Mood stabilizer C) Tricyclic antidepressant D) Atypical antipsychotic

A

15. The nurse is working with a client who will be signing a commitment to treatment statement. After teaching the client about this statement, the nurse determines the need for additional instruction when the client makes which statement? A) "Signing this statement means that I will not commit suicide." B) "I am agreeing to get emergency treatment if I have suicidal thoughts." C) "I will be open and honest about my feelings about treatment." D) "I am agreeing to participate in the necessary treatment for my condition."

A

6. The nurse is providing a presentation for a group of health professionals about suicide. Which 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

A

7. A nurse has just completed a suicide risk assessment of a widowed client, 76 years of age. In addition to documenting the presence or absence of suicidal thoughts, a suicide plan, and the client's available means, the nurse would also document which information? 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

A