Author Question: The nurse is performing an initial suicide risk assessment. What questions will the nurse include in ... (Read 126 times)

809779 · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

The nurse is performing an initial suicide risk assessment. What questions will the nurse include in this assessment? Select all that apply.

1. Do you have thoughts of suicide?
2. Do you have a way to harm yourself?
3. Do you have fantasies about hurting yourself?
4. Do you have thoughts about the consequences that result from suicide?
5. Do you have thoughts about how your family will react if you commit suicide?

Question 2

While performing a suicide assessment, the nurse asks the patient, Have you ever thought of taking your own life? What is the rationale for the nurse's question? Select all that apply.

1. It directly addresses the issue of suicide.
2. It causes the patient to think about suicide.
3. It gives the patient an idea about suicide methods.
4. It causes the patient to open up about other suicide attempts.
5. It alleviates the patient's anxiety about considering suicide.

Edwyer · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 1, 2, 3
Explanation: The nurse should ask patients explicitly if they feel as though they want to commit suicide and want to die. The nurse should inquire about whether patients have a means to harm themselves and what that means is (e.g., firearm, knife, overdose, hanging). The nurse should ask whether patients have fantasies about hurting themselves, such as jumping to their death. The nurse will not ask the patient about thoughts of consequences or how the patient's family would react to the patient's suicide; rather, the nurse is assessing the patient's risk for suicide on initial assessment. Once the patient's safety is established, the nurse will likely ask these questions.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1, 4, 5
Explanation: When the nurse asks a patient directly about thoughts of suicide, the nurse offers the opportunity to alleviate the patient's anxiety about considering suicide. Direct and clear communication helps patients open up about their feelings, and patients are more likely to discuss previous suicide attempts. Inquiring about suicidal thoughts does not cause an individual to contemplate suicide, nor does it provide the patient with ideas about suicide methods.