A patient hospitalized 3 weeks ago with major depressive disorder presented with suicidal ideations but no suicide plan.Sertraline (Zoloft) was prescribed,and the patient now reports that the feelings of depression have somewhat lessened.The guiding factor the nurse considers when planning care is that there is:

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Patients with severe depression may have suicidal ideation but lack the cognitive ability to plan an attempt and the energy to implement a plan.As depression lifts,the patient may be better able to plan a suicide attempt and may have sufficient energy to carry out a plan.Self-report of feeling less depressed does not mean the risk for self-injury is diminished.Vigilance continues to be necessary.

A Patient Hospitalized 3 Weeks Ago with Major Depressive Disorder