Intervention with a Suicidal Client

A nurse is caring for a client who has threatened to commit suicide by hanging. The client states, "I'm going to use a knotted shower curtain when no one is around." Which information would determine the nurse's plan of care for this client? A. The more specific the plan is, the more likely the client will attempt suicide.

ANS: A Clients who have specific plans are at greater risk for suicide.

A nurse recently admitted a client to an inpatient unit after a suicide attempt. A health-care provider orders amitriptyline (Elavil) for the client. Which intervention related to this medication should be initiated to maintain this client's safety upon discharge? B. Provide a 1-week supply of Elavil with refills contingent on follow-up appointments.

ANS: B The health-care provider should provide a 1-week supply of Elavil with refills contingent on follow-up appointments as an appropriate intervention to maintain the client's safety. Tricyclic antidepressants have a narrow therapeutic range and can be used in overdose to commit suicide. Distributing limited amounts of the medication decreases this potential.

A stockbroker commits suicide after being convicted of insider trading. Which information should a nurse share with the grieving family? B. "To deal with your grief, try using coping strategies that have worked for you in the past."

ANS: B The nurse should discuss coping strategies that have been successful in times of stress in the past, and work to reestablish these within the family.

After years of dialysis, an 84-year-old states, "I'm exhausted, depressed, and so over these attempts to keep me alive." Which question should the nurse ask the spouse when preparing a discharge plan of care? B. "How often is your spouse left alone?"

ANS: B This client has many risk factors for suicide. The client should have increased supervision to decrease likelihood of self-harm.

Which client data indicate that a suicidal client is participating in a plan for safety? C. Disclosing a plan for suicide to staff

ANS: C A degree of the responsibility for the suicidal client's safety is given to the client. When a client shares with staff a plan for suicide, the client is participating in a plan for safety by communicating thoughts of self-harm that would initiate interventions to prevent suicide.

A client is newly admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which assessment data are critical in determining an increased risk for suicide? C. Asking the client about any history of suicide attempts

ANS: C A history of suicide attempts places a client at a higher risk for current suicide behaviors. Knowing this specific data will alert the nurse to the client's risk.

A nurse is caring for four clients diagnosed with major depression. When considering the client's belief system, which client would potentially be at highest risk for suicide? C. Atheist

ANS: C Depressed men and women who consider themselves affiliated with a religion are less likely to attempt suicide than their nonreligious counterparts.

A client is newly committed to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which nursing intervention best lowers this client's risk for suicide? C. Observing the client at intervals determined by assessed data

ANS: C The nurse should observe the actively suicidal client continuously for the first hour after admission. After a full assessment, the treatment team will determine the observation status of the client. Observation of the client allows the nurse to interrupt any observed suicidal behaviors.

A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder with psychotic features hears voices commanding self-harm. The client refuses to commit to developing a plan for safety. What should be the nurse's priority intervention at this time? C. Placing the client on one-to-one observation while monitoring suicidal ideations

ANS: C The nurse's priority intervention when a client hears voices commanding self-harm is to place the client on one-to-one observation while continuing to monitor suicidal ideation.

In planning care for a suicidal client, which correctly written outcome should be a nurse's first priority? D. The client will remain safe during the hospital stay.

ANS: D The nurse's priority should be that the client will remain safe during the hospital stay. Client safety should always be the nurse's priority. The "A" answer choice is incorrectly written. Correctly written outcomes must be client focused, measurable, realistic, and contain a time frame. Without a time frame, an outcome cannot be correctly evaluated.

A suicidal client says to a nurse, "There's nothing to live for anymore." Which is the most appropriate nursing reply? D. "It sounds like you are feeling pretty hopeless."

ANS: D This statement verbalizes the client's implied feelings and allows him to validate and explore them.

A nursing student is developing a plan of care for a suicidal client. Which documented intervention should the student implement first? D. Assess suicide risk.

ANS: D Assessment is the first step of the nursing process to gain needed information to determine further appropriate interventions.

The family of a suicidal client is very supportive and requests more facts related to caring for their family member after discharge. Which information should the nurse provide? D. Be available to actively listen, support, and accept feelings.

ANS: D Being available to actively listen, support, and accept feelings increases the potential that a client would confide suicidal ideations to family members.

A nursing instructor is teaching about suicide. Which student statement indicates that learning has occurred? D. "50% to 80% of all people who kill themselves have a history of a previous attempt."

ANS: D It is a fact that between 50% and 80% of all people who kill themselves have a history of a previous attempt. All other answer choices are myths about suicide.

The treatment team is making a discharge decision regarding a previously suicidal client. Which client assessment information should a nurse recognize as contributing to the team's decision? D. Able to participate in a plan for safety; family agrees to constant observation

ANS: D Participation in a plan of safety and constant family observation will decrease the risk for self-harm. All other answer choices are not directly focused on suicide prevention and safety.

A new nursing graduate asks the psychiatric nurse manager how to best classify suicide. Which is the nurse manager's best reply? C. "Suicide is a behavior."

ANS: C Suicide is not a diagnosis, disorder, or affliction. It is a behavior.

A client has been brought to the emergency department for signs and symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The client has a history of a suicide attempt 1 year ago. Which nursing intervention would take priority in this situation? A. Assessing the client's pulse oximetry and vital signs

ANS: A It is important to prioritize client interventions that assess the symptoms of COPD prior to any other nursing intervention. Physical needs must be prioritized according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. This client's problems with oxygenation will take priority over assessing for current suicidal ideations.

Which nursing intervention strategy is most appropriate to implement initially with a suicidal client? A. Ask a direct question such as, "Do you ever think about killing yourself?"

ANS: A The risk of suicide is greatly increased if the client has suicidal ideations, has developed a plan, and particularly if means exist for the client to execute the plan.

After a teenager reveals that he is gay, the father responds by beating him. The next morning, the teenager is found hanging in his closet. Which paternal emotions should a nurse anticipate? (Select all that apply.) A. Shock and disbelief B. Guilt and remorse C. Anger and resentment

ANS: A, B, C Suicide of a family member can induce a whole gamut of feelings in the survivors. Shock, disbelief, guilt, remorse, anger, and resentment are all feelings that may be experienced by this father.

A nursing student is developing a study guide related to historical facts about suicide. Which of the following facts should the student include? (Select all that apply.) A. In the Middle Ages, suicide was viewed as a selfish and criminal act. C. Suicide was an offense in ancient Greece, and a common site burial was denied. D. During the Renaissance, suicide was discussed and viewed more philosophically.

ANS: A, C, D These are true historical facts about suicide and should be included in the student's study guide.

Which is a correctly written, appropriate outcome for a client with a history of suicide attempts who is currently exhibiting symptoms of low self-esteem by isolating self? B. The client will express three positive self-attributes by day 4.

ANS: B Although the client has a history of suicide attempts, the current problem is isolative behaviors based on low self-esteem. Outcomes should be client centered, specific, realistic, measureable, and contain a time frame.

Which statement indicates that the nurse is acting as an advocate for a client who has recently made a suicide attempt? B. "Let's confer with the treatment team about the triggers to your attempt that we discussed."

ANS: B The nurse is functioning in an advocacy role when collaborating with the client and treatment team to discuss client problems.

A nursing instructor is teaching about suicide in the elderly population. Which information should the instructor include? B. While the elderly make up less than 13% of the population, they account for 16% of all suicides.

ANS: B This factual information should be included in the nursing instructor's teaching plan. An expressed desire to die is not normal in any age group.

A client with a history of three suicide attempts has been taking fluoxetine (Prozac) for 1 month. The client suddenly presents with a bright affect, rates mood at 9/10, and is much more communicative. Which action should be the nurse's priority at this time? C. Increase frequency of client observation.

ANS: C The nurse should be aware that a sudden increase in mood rating and change in affect could indicate that the client is at risk for suicide and client observation should be more frequent. Suicide risk may occur early during treatment with antidepressants. The return of energy may bring about an increased ability to act-out self-destructive behaviors prior to the client attaining the full therapeutic effect of the antidepressant medication.

A nurse discovers a client's suicide note that details the time, place, and means to commit suicide. What should be the priority nursing intervention, and the rationale for this action? C. Placing this client on one-to-one suicide precautions because the more specific the plan, the more likely the client will attempt suicide

ANS: C The priority nursing action should be to place this client on one-to-one suicide precautions, because the more specific the plan, the more likely the client will attempt suicide. The appropriate nursing diagnosis for this client would be risk for suicide.

During a one-to-one session with a client, the client states, "Nothing will ever get better," and "Nobody can help me." Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a nurse to assign to this client at this time? D. Hopelessness R/T altered mood AEB client statements

ANS: D The client's statements indicate the problem of hopelessness. Prior to assigning either risk for injury or risk for suicide a further evaluation of the client's suicidal ideations and intent would be necessary.