A nurse assesses a patient who reports a 3-week history of ...

[rachel9]

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?
 
  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.

Question 2

An adult attempts suicide after declaring bankruptcy. The patient is hospitalized and takes an antidepressant medication for 5 days. The patient is now more talkative and shows increased energy on the unit.
 
  Select the highest priority nursing intervention.
 
  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 the discontinuation of suicide precautions.

[bpool94]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Verbal clues to suicide may be overt or covert. The incorrect options are overt references to suicide. The correct option is more veiled. It alludes to the patient's suicide as being a way to fix everything but does not say it outright.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The patient now has more energy and may have decided on suicide, especially considering the history of the prior suicide attempt. The patient must be supervised 24 hours per day; the patient is still a suicide risk.