A client has expressed suicidal thoughts to the nurse. Select all the warning signs for suicide that the nurse should be aware of.

Choice A rationale:

Advising the client to keep their feelings to themselves is not an appropriate intervention in this situation. Suicidal ideation is a serious concern, and keeping feelings hidden could potentially lead to the client not receiving the necessary support and intervention they need to stay safe.

Choice B rationale:

Encouraging the client to isolate themselves until they feel better is not an appropriate intervention either. Isolation can exacerbate feelings of hopelessness and increase the risk of acting on suicidal thoughts. Connecting with the client and providing a supportive environment is crucial.

Choice C rationale:

Asking the client directly if they are thinking about harming themselves is the most appropriate intervention. This approach helps the nurse assess the severity of the situation, open a dialogue about the client's feelings, and determine the level of risk. Direct communication allows for a better understanding of the client's mental state and the need for further intervention.

Choice D rationale:

Providing the client with alcohol or drugs to help them cope is a dangerous and inappropriate intervention. Substance use can further impair judgment and increase the risk of acting on suicidal thoughts. This action also fails to address the underlying issues contributing to the client's distress.

Choice A:

Risk for suicide.

Choice B:

Ineffective family coping.

Choice C:

Chronic low self-esteem.

Choice A rationale:

This choice aligns with the primary concern of the patient being at risk for suicide, which is the focus of the assessment. Identifying this diagnosis is crucial for implementing appropriate interventions to ensure the patient's safety.

Choice B rationale:

Ineffective family coping could contribute to the patient's stressors and emotional state. It's relevant because the support system plays a significant role in a patient's mental health. However, it might not be as immediate a concern as the risk for suicide itself.

Choice C rationale:

Chronic low self-esteem is relevant to the patient's overall mental health and might contribute to their suicidal ideation. However, it might not directly address the immediate risk and urgency of the situation compared to the diagnosis of "Risk for suicide."

Choice D rationale:

Altered nutrition and risk for infection are not directly related to the primary concern of suicidal ideation and the associated nursing diagnoses. While they may be aspects of the patient's overall health, they are not the most pertinent concerns when addressing the risk of suicide.