Question 1

Your new patient is admitted after a suicide attempt. She states, "Let me die, I don't deserve to live." What is your best response?

Accepted Answer

Option D is the best response because it acknowledges the patient's feelings without judgment and encourages her to express herself. This approach can help build rapport and trust, which are crucial in therapeutic relationships, especially with individuals experiencing suicidal ideation.

Question 2

Suicide is most likely to occur:

Accepted Answer

Suicide risk often increases as depression begins to lift because individuals may regain the energy or motivation to act on suicidal thoughts that were present during the peak of their depressive episode. When deeply depressed, individuals might lack the energy or initiative to carry out a suicide plan.

Question 3

You have been consistently caring for a patient who is suicidal. The patient now tells you, "Nurse, I finally have it all figured out. It's going to be just fine." Your best response to this patient is:

Accepted Answer

This response encourages the patient to elaborate on their feelings and thoughts, which is crucial in assessing their mental state and risk of suicide. It opens up a dialogue in a non-judgmental way, allowing for a better understanding of the patient's intentions and emotional state.

Question 4

You are caring for an adolescent patient who has swallowed all of his mother's sleeping pills and pain pills. The patient has had a gastric lavage and is able to answer questions. The best question to ask this patient is:

Accepted Answer

Asking the patient about their current thoughts on self-harm ("What are your thoughts right now about hurting yourself?") is a direct, non-judgmental approach that focuses on the patient's current mental state and risk of further self-harm. It opens a channel for communication about their feelings and intentions, which is crucial for assessing and managing suicide risk. The other options are judgmental or may make the patient feel guilty, which is not helpful in a therapeutic setting.

Question 5

The best approach a nurse can use to gain information relating to a patient's potential for suicide is to ask:

Accepted Answer

Directly asking the patient if they are considering suicide is the most effective way to gain accurate information about their intentions. This approach allows for an open and honest conversation about the patient's feelings and plans.

Question 6

Your depressed patient has suddenly changed to being more cheerful and tells you he wants to reduce the clutter at home and give away some prized possessions to friends. What should be your response?

Accepted Answer

A sudden change in mood from depression to cheerfulness, especially when accompanied by actions such as giving away possessions, can be a warning sign of a patient having made a decision to commit suicide. It is crucial to directly ask about suicidal thoughts to assess the patient's safety.

Question 7

Of the following patient statements, which do nurses recognize as the highest risk for a patient to commit suicide?

Accepted Answer

A) indicates a clear plan and intent to commit suicide, including a specific method (using saved pain medications) and timing (right before the holidays), which is a high-risk indicator.

Question 8

As you perform a suicide assessment on your patient, you learn that the patient has only one person to call in times of need, has been thinking about suicide frequently in past weeks, and has attempted suicide once before 3 years ago. Given this information you believe this patient's suicide risk is:

Accepted Answer

The patient's frequent thoughts of suicide, limited support system, and previous suicide attempt indicate a moderate risk of suicide. These factors suggest that the patient is experiencing significant distress and has some risk factors for suicide, but may not necessarily be at immediate risk of attempting suicide without further assessment.

Question 9

Patients are most likely to commit suicide when:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Patients are most likely to commit suicide...

Question 10

A suicidal patient has been transferred to your unit from the medical floor and asks you why he "has to be watched every minute. I have a right to my privacy; I'm an adult and can come and go as I please." The best response to this patient is:

Accepted Answer

The best response is to express concern for the patient's safety, which is the primary reason for the constant observation. This approach acknowledges the patient's feelings while also explaining the necessity of the actions taken to prevent self-harm.

Question 11

Your 15-year-old neighbor, who knows you are a mental health nurse, informs you that he has "a friend who is talking about suicide." Your best initial response to the young neighbor is:

Accepted Answer

Listening and showing willingness to understand the situation without jumping to conclusions or pressuring for more information is crucial. It provides a safe space for the neighbor to share more about their concerns, which is essential for assessing the situation and determining the next steps.

Question 12

Which would be most important to find out next about the above patient?

Accepted Answer

Determining if the patient has a current suicide plan is crucial for assessing immediate risk and need for intervention to ensure the patient's safety.

Question 13

A patient becomes suicidal and is transferred to the locked unit of your hospital. Because this patient is actively suicidal you should:

Accepted Answer

Keeping the patient in your line of vision at all times is crucial for ensuring their safety when they are actively suicidal.

Question 14

When planning care for a patient who is suicidal, the nurse knows:

Accepted Answer

Teaching new problem-solving skills is a priority of care for suicidal patients as it helps them develop coping mechanisms and reduces the risk of future suicidal behavior.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is true about suicide?

Accepted Answer

A) There is often some form of warning before someone commits suicide, such as verbal hints, changes in behavior, or expressions of hopelessness. These signs can sometimes be subtle but are usually present in some form.

Quiz 13: Suicide