A nurse is providing care for a patient who has expressed suicidal intentions.
Which hould the nurse ask the patient?
What past experiences have led you to feel this desperate?
Can you explain how you plan to commit suicide?
What do you hope to achieve by ending your life?
Can you tell me why you feel so depressed that you want to end your life?
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
While understanding a patient’s past experiences can provide context for their current emotional state, it may not directly address the immediate risk of suicide. It’s important to focus on the present situation and the patient’s current feelings.
Choice B rationale
If a patient has a specific plan for suicide, it indicates a higher level of risk. By asking about their plan, the nurse can assess the immediacy and severity of the patient’s suicidal intent. This information is crucial for determining the appropriate level of care and intervention.
Choice C rationale
This question could be interpreted as validating or encouraging the patient’s suicidal thoughts. It’s essential to promote safety and positive coping strategies, rather than focusing on the perceived benefits of suicide.
Choice D rationale
While it’s important to understand the feelings driving a patient’s suicidal thoughts, asking why they want to end their life can come across as judgmental. It’s more helpful to ask about their feelings and listen empathetically.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Sickle cell anemia is not commonly found in Asian Americans. It is more prevalent in populations with ancestors from sub-Saharan Africa, Spanish-speaking regions, and the Mediterranean.
Choice B rationale
Sickle cell anemia is not commonly found in Native Americans. It is more prevalent in populations with ancestors from sub-Saharan Africa, Spanish-speaking regions, and the Mediterranean.
Choice C rationale
Sickle cell anemia is not commonly found in Italian Americans. While it can occur in Mediterranean populations, it is more prevalent in populations with ancestors from sub-Saharan Africa and Spanish-speaking regions.
Choice D rationale
Sickle cell anemia is commonly found in African Americans. It is an inherited blood disorder that is more common among people with ancestors from sub-Saharan Africa.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Actively seeking is a stage of chemical dependency where the individual actively seeks out the substance. In this scenario, the teenager is not just seeking heroin, but is using it to prevent withdrawal symptoms, which suggests a more advanced stage of dependency.
Choice B rationale
Experimentation is the initial stage of chemical dependency where the individual first tries the substance. However, the teenager in this scenario is past the experimentation stage as she is using heroin regularly to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Choice C rationale
Burnout is a stage of chemical dependency characterized by physical and mental exhaustion due to prolonged substance use. While the teenager may be experiencing burnout, the scenario specifically mentions her use of heroin to prevent withdrawal symptoms, which is more indicative of the preoccupation stage.
Choice D rationale
Preoccupation is a stage of chemical dependency where the individual is consumed by thoughts of the substance and uses it to prevent withdrawal symptoms. The teenager’s belief that she cannot cope without heroin and her use of it to prevent withdrawal symptoms align with this stage.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.