A community health nurse is creating a presentation about mood disorders for a local support group. The nurse should include which of the following as a risk factor for suicide?

A. Biologically male clients are typically diagnosed earlier than biologically female clients: Schizophrenia generally presents earlier in males, often between ages 18 and 25, whereas females tend to be diagnosed later, typically between their late 20s and early 30s. This difference is thought to be influenced by hormonal and genetic factors.
B. Biologically female clients are likely to be diagnosed earlier than biologically male clients: Schizophrenia tends to manifest later in females, partly due to the protective effects of estrogen, which may delay the onset of symptoms compared to males.
C. Diagnosis commonly occurs in individuals under the age of 12: Childhood-onset schizophrenia is extremely rare. Most cases present in late adolescence or early adulthood, with symptoms gradually developing over time.
D. People diagnosed with schizophrenia are more violent than others: Individuals with schizophrenia are not inherently more violent than the general population. They are more likely to be victims of violence rather than perpetrators, and when violence does occur, it is often associated with substance use or untreated symptoms.

A. The blinds in the client's room will need to stay closed to prevent overstimulation. Keeping the blinds closed is not a standard suicide prevention measure. While reducing overstimulation may be helpful for some mental health conditions, suicide prevention focuses more on removing means of self-harm, increasing supervision, and providing therapeutic interventions.
B. Family members should be encouraged to look up the warning signs of suicide. While educating family members about suicide warning signs is beneficial, simply encouraging them to look up the information is insufficient. The nurse should provide direct education and resources to ensure they recognize signs of suicidal ideation and know how to respond appropriately.
C. The client can eat their meal alone in their room. Allowing a suicidal client to eat alone increases the risk of self-harm, as food-related items (such as utensils, plastic bags, or containers) could be misused. Clients at risk for suicide should be supervised during meals to ensure their safety.
D. All sharp objects should be removed from the client's room. Removing sharp objects is a critical component of suicide prevention in inpatient settings. Limiting access to potential means of self-harm, including sharp items, cords, belts, and other dangerous objects, helps reduce the risk of suicide attempts.