A client is newly admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. ...

[futuristic]

A client is newly admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which of the following is most critical to assess when determining risk for suicide?
 
  A. Family history of depression
  B. The client's orientation to reality
  C. The client's history of suicide attempts
  D. Family support systems

Question 2

A nursing instructor is teaching about suicide. Which student statement indicates that learning has occurred?
 
  A. Suicidal threats and gestures should be considered manipulative and/or attention-seeking.
  B. Suicide is the act of a psychotic person.
  C. All suicidal individuals are mentally ill.
  D. Fifty to eighty percent of all people who kill themselves have a history of a previous attempt.

[matt]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
A history of suicide attempts places a client at a higher risk for current suicide behaviors. Knowing this specific data will alert the nurse to the client's risk.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
It is a fact that between 50 and 80 of all people who kill themselves have a history of a previous attempt. All other answer choices are myths about suicide.