A nurse wants to assess for suicidal ideation in an elderly patient. Select the best question to begin this assessment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This question is clear, direct, and respectful. It will produce information relative to the acceptability of suicide as an option to the patient. If the patient deems suicide unacceptable, no further assessment is necessary. If the patient deems suicide as acceptable, the nurse can continue to assess intent, plan, means to carry out the plan, lethality of the chosen method, and so forth. The other options are less direct, may produce responses that may be unclear, or are appropriate for later in this discussion.

A Nurse Wants to Assess for Suicidal Ideation in an Elderly