Suicide Prevention Prep U

A mental health nurse is caring for a depressed client, whose spouse passed away 2 months ago. The client sates, "I'm going to kill myself." Which is a behavioral sign of suicide?

making a will

A nurse maintains a safe environment for a client who is suicidal by ...

observing the client frequently

A newly admitted client's history includes multiple suicide attempts. How can the nurse on the psychiatric-mental health unit best protect the client's safety?

performing vigilant assessment and close observation

When seeing a young adult client who has been depressed and expressing thoughts of hopelessness but has not overtly reported having thoughts of suicide. Despite the fact that the client has not reported suicidal thoughts, the nurse should initiate a suicide risk assessment with the client for which reason?

the client feels vulnerable to stigma

A client has been treated following a suicide attempt. When providing anticipatory guidance during the client's discharge education, the nurse should teach the client that:

the client is likely to experience stigma around the suicide attempt from some people

The nurse is assessing a client who has presented to the emergency department in emotional distress. What client data represents the greatest risk for suicide?

the client overdosed on pills 2 years earlier

A nurse is assessing a client who has a previous history of suicide attempts. The nurse is applying the IS PATH WARM mnemonic. When addressing the "S" within this framework, the nurse should document what finding?

the client states that he drinks between one and two bottles of wine daily

Which statement most accurately describes the relationship between psychiatric illness and suicide risk?

the vast majority of people who commit suicide have a diagnosed mental disorder

Women make how many suicide attempts for every attempt by their male counterparts?

three

A nurse is assessing several clients. Which client would the nurse identify as being at highest risk for carrying out a suicide plan?

a client who says "I'm going to jump off the next bridge I see."

The nurse who is conducting a suicide risk assessment with a client determines the lethality of the plan is as high if which condition is present?

a male client keeps a loaded firearm in the closet

The parent of a suicidal adolescent is concerned that "only crazy people commit suicide." When helping the parent understand a daughter's suicidal behavior, the nurse would explain what?

analysis of suicide notes reveals that most people who commit suicide are extremely unhappy

Which question by a depressed, inpatient, psychiatric-mental health client should the nurse interpret as a potential suicide clue?

are clients allowed to keep drugstore medications at their bedside?

Several questions can be used to assess a suicidal person's intent to die, the severity of the suicidal ideation, and the degree of planning. Which question may be used to elicit information regarding the severity of suicidal ideation?

can you dismiss thoughts of killing yourself, or do they tend to return?

When assessing risk of suicide, which are important assessment components? Select all that apply.

- Seriousness of suicidal ideation - Degree fo hopelessness - Previous attempt - Lethality of method

A psychiatric mental health nurse is using the IS PATH WARM mnemonic in order to assess a client for warning signs of suicide. Within this framework, what assessment findings should the nurse document? Select all that apply.

- The client states that she frequently experiences insomnia - The client has recently exhibited impulsive behavior - The client states that she often "turns to the bottle"

A client has just been admitted to the inpatient psychiatry unit following a suicide attempt. During the client's first 24 hours of care, what outcome should be identified?

client will express that the client feels safe on the unit

Which psychiatric medication is most protective against suicidal thinking and behavior for clients with schizophrenia?

clozapine

Approximately what percentage of suicides in the United States are associated with mental illness or alcohol and substance abuse?

90%

A client has been successfully treated on the psychiatric mental health unit following a suicide attempt. In preparation for discharge, the nurse should prioritize what action?

ensuring a plan is in place for the client's community-based care

The nurse is assessing a female client who discloses she is having thoughts of killing herself. The client tells the nurse she owns a gun. The client tells the nurse she is not ready for anyone to know she feels this way and would prefer that the information not be shared with anyone else. What is the nurse's best response?

"I'm going to keep you safe. In order to do that I need to share how you are feeling with the health care team."

The nurse is interviewing a client with a diagnosis of depression and the client states, "Honestly, I know my family would be a lot better off if I wasn't around to be a burden on them. That's just between you and me, though, okay?" What is the nurse's best response?

"I'm obliged to share what we talk about with other people on your care team."

The nurse is providing a community visit to a client who was recently discharged from hospital after recovering from a suicide attempt by overdose of prescription medication. Which statement is most therapeutic for the nurse to make during the visit with this client?

"It's important to have a plan for managing any future episodes of self-harm."

The nurse is facilitating a support group for people who have lost a family member or friend to suicide. When discussing strategies for coping with grief, which should the nurse include?

- Completing a daily journal entry before bedtime - Writing out the events leading up to the loved one's suicide - Cognitive behavioral therapy

The nurse is assisting the family of a client to develop an individualized plan for suicide prevention. Which intervention should the nurse include? Select all that apply.

- Continuing to attend a spiritual group meeting weekly - Using a journal to express gratitude daily - Listen to music when feeling overwhelmed - Practice a mantra that helps with instilling hope

When conducting a focused assessment on a newly admitted client who attempted suicide, which question should the nurse include to ensure the client's safety? Select all that apply.

- Do you still have a plan to harm yourself? - Have you ever tried to hurt yourself before? - Are you willing to tell us if you plan to harm yourself again?

When talking with the spouse of a client who attempted suicide, the psychiatric nurse demonstrates understanding of the priority areas of assessment by asking which questions? Select all that apply.

- Does your spouse harm him/herself physically when stressed? - Has your spouse attempted to kill him/herself by injuring him/herself?

The nurse who is developing a suicide prevention strategy would need to ensure which step is included?

- Figuring out who is at risk for suicide - Determining imminent risk of suicide - Using assertive interventions if there is a threat of suicide - Following up with interventions to prevent suicide in the future

A psychiatric mental health nurse is administering scheduled medications to several inpatients on the unit with depression and at high risk for suicide. Which medication would the nurse expect to adminster to assist in reducing the patient's risk of suicide? Select all that apply.

- fluoxetine - citalopram

The community mental health nurse is providing care for a large number of clients. What client should the nurse monitor most closely for the warning signs of suicide?

a young male with schizophrenia who is in danger of becoming homeless

The policies and procedures at a community psychiatric-mental health center include an emphasis on case finding. How can a nurse at the center best perform case finding?

assessing all clients carefully to identify those at risk for suicide

A client on the psychiatric mental health unit completed suicide. A nurse who cared for the client has been experiencing insomnia and anxiety attacks since the event. What is the nurse's first action?

dialogue with a trusted colleague about these findings

Which client population has the highest risk for suicide?

elderly men

A psychiatric nurse's colleague has expressed a reluctance to assess a client's risk for suicide, stating, "The last thing I want to do is to plant the thought in the client's head and bring on a suicide attempt." What is the nurse's best response?

evidence shows that talking about suicide with clients doesn't cause suicide attempts

A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a young client to determine the client's risk for suicide. Which factor would alert the nurse to an increased risk for this client?

experiencing unemployment that has lasted a year

A nurse providing community education for parents regarding adolescent suicide should include in the teaching session that the most frequent cause or motive for suicide in this age group is what?

feelings of alienation or isolation

When teaching prevention to the parents of a 15-year-old client who recently attempted suicide by taking an overdose of alprazolam, the nurse describes which behavioral clue?

giving away valued personal items

Several of the inpatients on a hospital's psychiatric-mental health unit are at risk for suicide. When implementing best practice for these patients, which action would be appropriate?

keeping restrictions to a minimum while still ensuring the patient's safety

The primary nursing goal for a client who is admitted for suicidal ideation or attempt would be what?

prevent self-destructive behavior

After assessing a client, the nurse identifies that the client is at risk for suicide. Which would be the nurse's priority intervention?

remove means of suicide from the client's access

A 20-year-old college student has been admitted to the emergency department after taking an overdose of Acetaminophen (Tylenol). Which of the following nursing diagnoses should be prioritized in the care of this client after she is medically stabilized?

risk for violence, self-directed, related to recent suicide attempt

It is believed that for every death by suicide, how many additional people are affected?

six

Which of the following is a primary risk factor for suicide?

social isolation

A client with a diagnosis of schizophrenia has been admitted to the psychiatric mental health unit following a suicide attempt. Shortly after admission, the client has agreed to a commitment to treatment statement (CTS). What effect will the CTS have on the client's inpatient care?

the client explicitly agrees to participate in all aspects of treatment

The nurse is assessing a client with depression and a colleague suggests that the client be encouraged to sign a no-suicide contract. What is the nurse's best response to the colleague?

theres no demonstrated benefit of no-suicide contracts, though they're not believed to be harmful

The nurse has been caring for a 77-year-old client who was admitted to the psychiatric unit for depression and imminent suicide risk. Despite varying levels of intervention, the client continues to voice suicidal ideation with a lethal plan. Which intervention should the care team employ?

use electroconvulsive therapy