Answer Choices:
a. Hopelessness
b. Sadness
c. Anxiety
d. Anger
Answer:
A
Question: A college student who attempted suicide by overdose is hospitalized. When the parents are contacted, they respond, “There must be a mistake. This could not have happened. We’ve given our child everything.” What emotional response does the parents’ reaction reflect?
Answer Choices:
a. Denial
b. Anger
c. Anxiety
d. Projection
Answer:
A
Question: After failing two tests, a college student cried for hours and then tried to telephone a parent but got no answer. The student then gave several expensive sweaters to a roommate. Which behavior provides the strongest clue of an impending suicide attempt?
Answer Choices:
a. Calling parents
b. Excessive crying
c. Giving away sweaters
d. Staying alone in a dormitory
Answer:
C
Question: Which statement by a patient during an assessment interview should alert the nurse to the patient’s need for immediate, active intervention?
Answer Choices:
a. “I am mixed up, but I know I need help.”
b. “I have no one for help or support.”
c. “It is worse when you are a person of color.”
d. “I tried to get attention before I shot myself.”
Answer:
B
Question: An adolescent tells the school nurse, “My friend threatened to take an overdose of pills.” The nurse talks to the friend who verbalized the suicide threat. What is the most critical question for the nurse to ask?
Answer Choices:
a. “What makes you want to kill yourself?”
b. “Do you have access to medications?”
c. “Have you been taking drugs and alcohol?”
d. “Did something happen with your parents?”
Answer:
B
Question: Which intervention should a nurse recommend for the distressed family and friends of someone who has successfully committed suicide?
Answer Choices:
a. Participating in reminiscence therapy
b. Attending a self-help group for survivors
c. Contracting for two sessions of group therapy
d. Completing a psychological postmortem assessment
Answer:
B
Question: A nurse assesses a patient who reports a 3-week history of depression and crying spells. 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 Choices:
a. “I wish I were dead.”
b. “Life is not worth living.”
c. “I have a plan that will fix everything.”
d. “My family will be better off without me.”
Answer:
C
Question: A nurse counsels a patient with recent suicidal ideation. Which is the nurse’s most therapeutic comment?
Answer Choices:
a. “Let’s make a list of all your problems and think of solutions for each one.”
b. “I’m happy you’re taking control of your problems and trying to find solutions.”
c. “When you have bad feelings, try to focus on positive experiences from your life.”
d. “Let’s consider which problems are most important and focus on discussing them.”
Answer:
D
Question: A college student failed two examinations. The student cried for hours and then tried to call a parent but got no answer. The student then suspended access to his social networking web site. Which suicide risk factors are present? (Select all that apply.)
Answer Choices:
a. History of earlier suicide attempt
b. Co-occurring medical illness
c. Recent stressful life event
d. Self-imposed isolation
e. Shame or humiliation
Answer:
C, D, E
Question: A person attempts suicide by overdose, is treated in the emergency department, and then hospitalized. What is the best initial patient outcome?
Answer Choices:
a. Will verbalize a will to live by the end of the second hospital day.
b. Can describe two new coping mechanisms by the end of the third hospital day.
c. Accurately delineate personal strengths by the end of first week of hospitalization.
d. Exercise safe self-restraint by refraining from gestures or attempts to harm self for 24 hours.
Answer:
D
Question: Which statement provides the best rationale for why a nurse should closely monitor a severely depressed patient during antidepressant medication therapy?
Answer Choices:
a. As depression lifts, physical energy becomes available to carry out suicide.
b. Suicide may be precipitated by a variety of internal and external events.
c. Suicidal patients have difficulty using social supports.
d. Suicide is an impulsive act.
Answer:
A
Question: A staff nurse tells another nurse, “I evaluated a new patient using the modified SAD PERSONS scale and got a score of 10. I’m wondering if I should send the patient home.” Select the best reply by the second nurse.
Answer Choices:
a. “That action would seem appropriate.”
b. “A score over 8 requires immediate hospitalization.”
c. “I think you should strongly consider hospitalization for this patient.”
d. “Give the patient a follow-up appointment with your physician to be needed soon.”
Answer:
B
Question: Four individuals have given information about their suicide plans. Which plan evidences the highest suicide risk?
Answer Choices:
a. Jumping from a 100-foot-high railroad bridge located in a deserted area late at night
b. Turning on the oven and letting gas escape into the apartment during the night
c. Cutting the wrists in the bathroom while the spouse reads in the next room
d. Overdosing on aspirin with codeine while the spouse is out with friends
Answer:
A
Question: A severely depressed patient who has been on suicide precautions tells the nurse, “I am feeling a lot better, so you can stop watching me. I have taken too much of your time already.” Which is the nurse’s best response?
Answer Choices:
a. “I wonder what this sudden change is all about. Please tell me more.”
b. “I am glad you are feeling better. The team will consider your request.”
c. “You should not try to direct your care. Leave that to the treatment team.”
d. “Because we are concerned about your safety, we will continue with our plan.”
Answer:
A
Question: Which understanding about individuals who attempt suicide will help a nurse plan the care for a suicidal patient?
Answer Choices:
a. Every suicidal person is mentally ill.
b. Every suicidal person is intent on dying.
c. Every suicidal person is cognitively impaired.
d. Every suicidal person experiencing hopelessness.
Answer:
D