A patient is admitted to a psychiatric unit with severe depression and thoughts of suicide. The patient is placed on suicide precautions. When caring for this patient, the nurse recognizes that

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A major goal in evaluating suicidal risk is to assess whether the patient is imminent danger of doing harm to self. It is a myth that people who talk about harming themselves are at less risk. Patients who verbalize or behaviorally demonstrate "a weight being lifted off the shoulders" should be watched carefully. Suicidal ideation waxes and wanes, so careful observation is critical even after the acute crisis has subsided.

A Patient Is Admitted to a Psychiatric Unit with Severe