A school nurse is speaking to the mother of a 16-year-old male adolescent. The mother has concerns about her son. Which of the following statements by the mother should indicate to the nurse that the adolescent is at risk for suicide?
"His cousin committed suicide a few weeks ago.”
"He spends much of his time with his two school friends.”
"He has slept 9 hours each night for the past 2 years.”
"He is very religious and attends services twice a week.”
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
"His cousin committed suicide a few weeks ago." This statement is a significant red flag indicating a higher risk of suicide. When an adolescent is exposed to suicide, especially within their family or close social circle, they become more vulnerable due to the potential for social contagion. This scenario increases the urgency for intervention and support to prevent a similar outcome.
Choice B rationale:
"He spends much of his time with his two school friends." While changes in social behavior might raise concerns, this statement alone does not directly indicate a risk of suicide. Adolescents can experience shifts in their social preferences for various reasons, and it's not a definitive sign of suicidal ideation or intent.
Choice C rationale:
"He has slept 9 hours each night for the past 2 years." Sleeping patterns alone do not strongly correlate with suicide risk. However, drastic changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or hypersomnia, might be indicative of underlying mental health issues. In this case, the consistent sleep pattern mentioned does not directly signal a risk of suicide.
Choice D rationale:
"He is very religious and attends services twice a week." Religious involvement can have protective effects on mental health, and attending religious services can provide a support network. While religion might offer some resilience against suicide, it is not a definitive indicator. Other factors need to be considered in conjunction with religious activities. For , the statement indicating an adolescent's higher risk of suicide is "His cousin committed suicide a few weeks ago" (Choice A). This experience increases the risk due to the potential for social contagion. The other options, including spending time with school friends, sleep patterns, and religious involvement, do not directly suggest an imminent risk of suicide.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Telling the parents that they should not feel guilty might invalidate their emotions and discourage open communication. It's essential to acknowledge their feelings and address them empathetically.
Choice B rationale:
This choice demonstrates therapeutic communication and empathy. It encourages the parents to express their feelings, and the nurse is offering to listen and explore the reasons behind their guilt.
Choice C rationale:
This statement seems confrontational and may discourage the parents from sharing their emotions openly. Asking why they feel guilty immediately might put them on the defensive.
Choice D rationale:
While this statement acknowledges the difficulty of the situation, it ends with a premature reassurance that may not be well-received. The parents need space to discuss their feelings before focusing on the future.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Current rehabilitation for opiate addiction is not typically associated with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is primarily linked to chronic alcohol abuse and thiamine deficiency.
Choice B rationale:
A personal history of alcohol use disorder is directly associated with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This syndrome is caused by thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency, which is commonly seen in individuals who have a history of heavy and chronic alcohol consumption.
Choice C rationale:
Undergoing current treatment for HIV is not a typical factor associated with the development of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This syndrome's primary cause is thiamine deficiency resulting from alcohol misuse.
Choice D rationale:
Family history of Alzheimer's disease is not a characteristic linked to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. These two conditions have different etiologies and clinical presentations. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is caused by thiamine deficiency, while Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder.
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