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.”

Answer and Explanation

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

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

"This is supposed to happen when you get old, right?" is a common misconception but doesn't necessarily support the diagnosis of delirium. It could be attributed to normal aging changes.

Choice B rationale:

"Since his mother died, he has not been feeling well." indicates a potential stressor but doesn't directly address the rapid onset of behavioral changes, which is a hallmark of delirium.

Choice C rationale:

"My husband just didn't seem to know what he was doing. He has been forgetful for years." suggests a history of forgetfulness rather than an acute change in behavior, which is more indicative of chronic cognitive issues like dementia.

Choice D rationale:

(Correct) "The changes in his behavior came on so quickly! I wasn't sure what was happening." This statement supports the diagnosis of delirium, which is characterized by a sudden onset of confusion and changes in cognitive function. Delirium often develops rapidly, and the client's wife's observation aligns with this diagnostic criterion.

A. Bipolar disorder. B. Depression. C. Substance addiction. D. Schizophrenia.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania. While mental health issues can certainly be prevalent among the homeless population, bipolar disorder may not be the most prevalent in this context. Homelessness often exposes individuals to harsh living conditions, which might contribute to mood disturbances, but substance addiction is more commonly associated with this population.

Choice B rationale:

Depression is a significant concern among homeless individuals due to the many challenges they face, but substance addiction is generally more prevalent. Substance abuse often becomes a coping mechanism for dealing with the stressors of homelessness, making it a primary concern in this population.

Choice C rationale:

Substance addiction is a critical mental health issue that is highly prevalent among homeless individuals. The stress, trauma, and lack of stable support systems experienced by the homeless population contribute to a higher risk of substance abuse as a way to cope with their circumstances.

Choice D rationale:

Schizophrenia involves a disconnection from reality, including symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. While schizophrenia can certainly affect homeless individuals, substance addiction remains a more widespread concern due to its association with the challenges of homelessness.

View Question and Answer

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

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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A male client is admitted to the unit with a possible diagnosis of delirium. Which statement by the client's wife best supports the diagnosis?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The community health nurse recognizes that which of the following mental health issues is most prevalent in the homeless population?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse in the Emergency Department is caring for a client with symptoms of depression and admits to thoughts of self-harm with a plan. The client has a history of borderline personality disorder, depression, and substance abuse. Which of the following is the priority action by the nurse?

A nurse in a mental health facility is interacting with a client who is angry and becoming increasingly aggressive. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is caring for a client who lost all his possessions in a house fire and states, "I have no idea what I am going to do. I cannot think right now." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is reviewing the history and physical of an adolescent client diagnosed with conduct disorder. The nurse recognizes that which of the following is an expected assessment finding of conduct disorder?

A nurse is caring for a client who has late-stage Alzheimer's disease and is hospitalized for treatment of the flu. During the night shift, the client is found climbing into the bed of another client who becomes upset and scared. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is assessing a client who has illness anxiety disorder. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a negative symptom?