ATI LPN
Test Bank for Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice
Chapter 21 Questions
Question 1 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 2 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 3 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.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is completing an admission assessment of a young adult woman who has a history of depression and who was brought to the hospital by her boyfriend. In response to the nurse?s question regarding suicidal ideation, the patient discloses that she is thinking about killing herself. Which question would be most appropriate for the nurse to ask next?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a patient expresses suicidal ideation, the nurse?s priority is to assess the specificity and immediacy of the risk by inquiring about a plan, as this indicates the degree of intent and potential lethality. Asking about specific thoughts on how the patient would kill herself (
D) is critical for risk assessment. Options A, B, and C, while potentially relevant later, do not directly assess the immediate risk or plan.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is with an adolescent who tells the nurse that she has nothing to live for and she just wishes she was dead. Which nursing action would be the priority?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority is to ensure the patient?s safety by staying with her and exploring her suicidal thoughts (
B), which allows for immediate risk assessment and therapeutic engagement. Notifying the psychiatrist (
A) is important but secondary to direct patient contact. Seclusion (
C) is inappropriate unless the patient poses an immediate danger, and exploring beliefs about death (
D) is less urgent than assessing current risk.