Question 1

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.

Accepted Answer

A)  Supervise the patient 24 hours a day. 
B)  Begin discharge planning for the patient. 
C)  Refer the patient to art and music therapists. 
D)  Consider discontinuation of suicide precautions.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

A)  "Are you having thoughts of suicide?" 
B)  "I am not sure I understand what you are trying to say." 
C)  "Try to stay hopeful. Things have a way of working out." 
D)  "Tell me more about what interested you before you became depressed."

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Powerlessness 
B)  Social isolation 
C)  Risk for suicide 
D)  Compromised family coping

Question 4

Which nursing interventions will be implemented for a patient who is actively suicidal? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  Maintain arm's length, one-on-one direct observation at all times. 
B)  Check all items brought by visitors and remove risk items. 
C)  Use plastic eating utensils; count utensils upon collection. 
D)  Remove the patient's eyeglasses to prevent self-injury. 
E)  Interact with the patient every 15 minutes.

Question 5

A patient previously hospitalized for 2 weeks committed suicide the day after discharge. Which initial nursing measure will be most important regarding this event?

Accepted Answer

A)  Request the information technology manager to verify the patient's medical record is secure in the hospital information system. 
B)  Hold a meeting for staff to provide support, express feelings, and identify overlooked clues or faulty judgments. 
C)  Consult the hospital's legal department regarding potential consequences of the event. 
D)  Document a report of a sentinel event in the patient's medical record.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

A)  As depression lifts, physical energy becomes available to carry out suicide. 
B)  Patients who previously had suicidal thoughts need to discuss their feelings. 
C)  For most patients, antidepressant medication results in increased suicidal thinking. 
D)  Suicide is an impulsive act. Antidepressant medication does not alter impulsivity.

Question 7

A nurse assesses five newly hospitalized patients. Which patients have the highest suicide risk? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  82-year-old white male 
B)  17-year-old white female 
C)  22-year-old Hispanic male 
D)  19-year-old Native American male 
E)  39-year-old African American male

Question 8

Which change in the brain's biochemical function is most associated with suicidal behavior?

Accepted Answer

A)  Dopamine excess 
B)  Serotonin deficiency 
C)  Acetylcholine excess 
D)  g-aminobutyric acid deficiency

Exam 25: Suicide and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury