ATI LPN
Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition
Chapter 21 : Suicide Prevention: Screening, Assessment, and Intervention Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse determines that a patient has poor social skills that have interfered with his ability to engage others, which has contributed to his feelings of purposelessness, hopelessness, and withdrawal. Which of the following would be most important to assist the patient in beginning to social skills?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse-patient relationship (
C) provides a safe, therapeutic environment to model and practice social skills, addressing the patient?s isolation and hopelessness. Self-help (
A) and recovery groups (
B) are beneficial but less individualized, while limit setting (
D) is unrelated to social skill development.
Question 2 of 5
After teaching a group of students about the various concepts involving suicide, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students describe parasuicide as which of the following?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Parasuicide (
D) refers to intentional self-harm without the aim of death, distinguishing it from suicide (
A), suicidality (
B), or nonfatal acts with lethal intent (
C). It often serves as a coping mechanism or cry for help.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for a group of hospitalized patients with various psychiatric diagnoses. The nurse identifies which patient as having the greatest risk for a suicide attempt?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Major depressive disorder is strongly associated with a high risk of suicide due to persistent feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and despair, which are core symptoms. Studies indicate that individuals with major depressive disorder have a significantly higher suicide risk compared to other psychiatric conditions. Bipolar I disorder (
A) carries a risk, particularly during depressive episodes, but the risk is generally lower than in major depressive disorder. Acute stress disorder (
B) is typically short-term and less associated with suicide. Somatoform disorder (
D) focuses on physical symptoms and has a lower direct link to suicide.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is reviewing the medical records of several patients diagnosed with major depression. The nurse identifies which patient as least likely to commit suicide?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Social support, particularly from a stable marital relationship, is a protective factor against suicide. A married man (
D) is likely to have more social and emotional support, reducing suicide risk compared to those who are divorced (
A), widowed (
B), or single (
C), who may experience greater isolation or loss, increasing vulnerability to suicidal behavior in the context of major depression.
Question 5 of 5
A family member of an adolescent who has expressed a desire to commit suicide asks the nurse, What might predict the possibility of future suicide attempts? Which of the following would the nurse include in the response?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A previous suicide attempt is the strongest predictor of future suicide attempts, as it indicates a history of engaging in life-threatening behavior and suggests persistent suicidal ideation or unresolved risk factors. While unemployment (
A), death of a spouse (
B), and polydrug use (
D) are risk factors, they are less specific predictors compared to a documented prior attempt.