Which change in brain biochemical function is most associated with suicidal behavior?
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Dopamine excess
Serotonin deficiency
Acetylcholine excess
Gamma-aminobutyric acid deficiency
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Question 2
Free
Multiple Choice
A college student failed two tests. Afterward, the 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?
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Calling parents
Excessive crying
Giving away sweaters
Staying alone in a dorm room
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Question 3
Free
Multiple Choice
A nurse uses the modified SAD PERSONS scale to interview a patient. This tool provides data relevant to:
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current stress level.
mood disturbance.
suicide potential.
level of anxiety.
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Question 4
Free
Multiple Choice
A person intentionally overdoses on antidepressant drugs. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?
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Powerlessness
Social isolation
Risk for suicide
Ineffective management of the therapeutic regimen
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Question 5
Free
Multiple Choice
A person attempts suicide by overdose, is treated in the emergency department, and then hospitalized. What is the best initial outcome? The patient will:
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verbalize a will to live by the end of the second hospital day.
describe two new coping mechanisms by the end of the third hospital day.
accurately delineate personal strengths by the end of first week of hospitalization.
exercise suicide self-restraint by refraining from gestures or attempts to kill self for 24 hours.
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Question 6
Multiple Choice
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." The parents' reaction reflects:
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denial.
anger.
anxiety.
rescue feelings.
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Question 7
Multiple Choice
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. The most critical question for the nurse to ask would be:
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"Why do you want to kill yourself?"
"Do you have access to medications?"
"Have you been taking drugs and alcohol?"
"Did something happen with your parents?"
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Question 8
Multiple Choice
An adult attempts suicide after declaring bankruptcy. The patient is hospitalized and takes an antidepressant medication for five days. The patient is now more talkative and shows increased energy. Select the highest priority nursing intervention.
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Supervise the patient 24 hours a day.
Begin discharge planning for the patient.
Refer the patient to art and music therapists.
Consider the discontinuation of suicide precautions.
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Question 9
Multiple Choice
A nurse and patient construct a no-suicide contract. Select the preferable wording for the contract.
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"I will not try to harm myself during the next 24 hours."
"I will not make a suicide attempt while I am hospitalized."
"For the next 24 hours, I will not kill or harm myself in any way."
"I will not kill myself until I call my primary nurse or a member of the staff."
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Question 10
Multiple Choice
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:
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assess the lethality of a suicide plan.
encourage expression of anger.
establish a rapport with the patient.
determine risk factors for suicide.
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Question 11
Multiple Choice
Select the most helpful response for a nurse to make when a patient being treated as an outpatient states, "I am considering suicide."
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"I'm glad you shared this. Please do not worry. We will handle it together."
"I think you should admit yourself to the hospital to get help."
"We need to talk about the good things you have to live for."
"Bringing this up is a very positive action on your part."
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Question 12
Multiple Choice
Which intervention should a nurse recommend for the distressed family and friends of someone who has committed suicide?
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Participating in reminiscence therapy
Attending a self-help group for survivors
Contracting for two sessions of group therapy
Completing a psychological postmortem assessment
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Question 13
Multiple Choice
Which statement provides the best rationale for why a nurse should closely monitor a severely depressed patient during antidepressant medication therapy?
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As depression lifts, physical energy becomes available to carry out suicide.
Suicide may be precipitated by a variety of internal and external events.
Suicidal patients have difficulty using social supports.
Suicide is an impulsive act.
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Question 14
Multiple Choice
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?
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"I wish I were dead."
"Life is not worth living."
"I have a plan that will fix everything."
"My family will be better off without me."
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Question 15
Multiple Choice
A depressed patient says, "Nothing matters anymore." What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
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"Are you having thoughts of suicide?"
"I am not sure I understand what you are trying to say."
"Try to stay hopeful. Things have a way of working out."
"Tell me more about what interested you before you began feeling depressed."
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Question 16
Multiple Choice
A nurse counsels a patient with recent suicidal ideation. Which is the nurse's most therapeutic comment?
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"Let's make a list of all your problems and think of solutions for each one."
"I'm happy you're taking control of your problems and trying to find solutions."
"When you have bad feelings, try to focus on positive experiences from your life."
"Let's consider which problems are most important and which are less important."
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Question 17
Multiple Choice
When assessing a patient's plan for suicide, what aspect has priority?
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Patient's financial and educational status
Patient's insight into suicidal motivation
Availability of means and lethality of method
Quality and availability of patient's social support
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Question 18
Multiple Choice
Which understanding about individuals who attempt suicide will help a nurse plan the care for a suicidal patient? Every suicidal person should be considered:
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mentally ill.
intent on dying.
cognitively impaired.
experiencing hopelessness.
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Question 19
Multiple Choice
Which statement by a patient during an assessment interview should alert the nurse to the patient's need for immediate, active intervention?
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"I am mixed up, but I know I need help."
"I have no one for help or support."
"It is worse when you are a person of color."
"I tried to get attention before I shot myself."
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Question 20
Multiple Choice
The feeling experienced by a patient that should be assessed by the nurse as most predictive of elevated suicide risk is: