Suicide

Question 1

An adult outpatient diagnosed with major depression has a history of several suicide attempts by overdose. Given this patients history and diagnosis, which antidepressant medication would the nurse expect to be prescribed?

Answer 1

Fluoxetine (Prozac), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Question 2

Four individuals have given information about their suicide plans. Which plan evidences the highest suicide risk?

Answer 2

Jumping from a railroad bridge located in a deserted area late at night

Question 3

Which measure would be considered a form of primary prevention for suicide?

Answer 3

Helping school children learn to manage stress and be resilient

Question 4

Which change in the brains biochemical function is most associated with suicidal behavior?

Answer 4

Serotonin deficiency

Question 5

A college student who failed two tests cried for hours and then tried to telephone a parent but got no answer. The student then gave several expensive sweaters to a roommate and asked to be left alone for a few hours. Which behavior provides the strongest clue of an impending suicide attempt?

Answer 5

Giving away sweaters

Question 6

A nurse uses the SAD PERSONS scale to interview a patient. This tool provides data relevant to:

Answer 6

suicide potential.

Question 7

A person intentionally overdosed on antidepressants. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?

Answer 7

Risk for suicide

Question 8

A person who attempted suicide by overdose was treated in the emergency department and then hospitalized. The initial outcome is that the patient will:

Answer 8

exercise suicide self-restraint by refraining from attempts to harm self for 24 hours.

Question 9

A college student who attempted suicide by overdose was hospitalized. When the parents were contacted, they responded, We should have seen this coming. We did not do enough. The parents reaction reflects:

Answer 9

guilt

Question 10

Select the most critical question for the nurse to ask an adolescent who has threatened to take an overdose of pills

Answer 10

Do you have access to medications?

Question 11

It has been 5 days since a suicidal patient was hospitalized and prescribed an antidepressant medication. The patient is now more talkative and shows increased energy. Select the highest priority nursing intervention.

Answer 11

Supervise the patient 24 hours a day.

Question 12

A nurse and patient construct a no-suicide contract. Select the preferable wording.

Answer 12

For the next 24 hours, I will not in any way attempt to harm or kill myself.

Question 13

A tearful, anxious patient at the outpatient clinic reports, I should be dead. The initial task of the nurse conducting the assessment interview is to:

Answer 13

establish rapport with the patient.

Question 14

A nurse interacts with an outpatient who has a history of multiple suicide attempts. Select the most helpful response for a nurse to make when the patient states, I am considering committing suicide.

Answer 14

Bringing up these feelings is a very positive action on your part.

Question 15

Which intervention will the nurse recommend for the distressed family and friends of someone who has committed suicide?

Answer 15

Attending a self-help group for survivors

Question 16

Which statement provides the best rationale for closely monitoring a severely depressed patient during antidepressant medication therapy?

Answer 16

As depression lifts, physical energy becomes available to carry out suicide.

Question 17

A nurse assesses a patient who reports a 3-week history of depression and periods of uncontrolled crying. The patient says, My business is bankrupt, and I was served with divorce papers. Which subsequent statement by the patient alerts the nurse to a concealed suicidal message?

Answer 17

I have a plan that will fix everything.

Question 18

A depressed patient says, Nothing matters anymore. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

Answer 18

Are you having thoughts of suicide?

Question 19

A nurse counsels a patient with recent suicidal ideation. Which is the nurses most therapeutic comment?

Answer 19

Lets consider which problems are very important and which are less important.

Question 20

When assessing a patients plan for suicide, what aspect has priority?

Answer 20

Availability of means and lethality of method

Question 21

The feeling experienced by a patient that should be assessed by the nurse as most predictive of elevated suicide risk is

Answer 21

hopelessness

Question 22

Which statement by a depressed patient will alert the nurse to the patients need for immediate, active intervention?

Answer 22

I have no one to turn to for help or support.

Question 23

A patient hospitalized for 2 weeks committed suicide during the night. Which initial nursing measure will be most important regarding this event?

Answer 23

Hold a staff meeting to express feelings and plan care for the other patients.

Question 24

After one of their identical twin daughters commits suicide, the parents express concern that the other twin may also have suicidal tendencies. Which reply should the nurse provide?

Answer 24

Genetics are associated with suicide risk. Monitoring and support are important.

Question 25

Which individual in the emergency department should be considered at highest risk for completing suicide?

Answer 25

A 79-year-old single, white male diagnosed recently with terminal cancer of the prostate