The family of a suicidal patient asks the health care team abouthaving the patient sign a no-suicide contract. Which response isthe most accurate?
“No-suicide contracts protect the health care team member fromlegal action in the event of a suicide.”
“No-suicide contracts have not been found to reduce suiciderisk.”
“Evidence exists that no-suicide contracts are an effectiveprevention tool.”
“No-suicide contracts require a commitment by the patient tostop suicidal thinking.”
A health care team member is planning care for a suicidalpatient who is on direct, constant observation status. What is thepriority intervention?
Work collaboratively with all health care team members to engagethe patient in activities.
Assess the patient’s suicide risk thoroughly at regularintervals.
Provide opportunities for the patient to express feelings.
Administer antidepressant medications as needed.
A health care team member is caring for an inpatient who hasthoughts of self-harm using a handgun that is kept in the bedsidetable at home. Which aspect of maintaining the patient’s safety isimportant?
Ask the patient if he can assure the team member that he willnot use the gun after he is discharged.
Call the patient’s family member and tell him or her to removethe gun.
Collaborate with the patient to have the gun secured before thepatient is discharged.
Notify the police to have the gun removed from the home.
When a health care team member is working with a patient tocomplete a safety plan, the patient states, “I can’t remember myfriends’ numbers, but I have them here in my phone,” which responseis best?
“OK, that’s a good place for them. You have your phone all thetime.”
“Give me the phone so I can write them on the paper.”
“No one knows phone numbers anymore. I don’t know why the formasks for them.”
“It’s a good idea to put them on paper in case you can’t locateyour phone.”
Helping the patient identify warning signs of a pending crisisis important for which reason?
The patient can notify everyone listed as a resource to getinvolved immediately.
The patient can have the opportunity to stop the crisis beforeit starts.
The patient can contact the suicide hotline immediately.
The patient’s activities can be restricted automatically.
Why are a patient’s family members and friends valuableresources regarding events leading up to a suicide attempt?
Patients may minimize the severity of their suicidalideation.
Family and friends willingly share the patient’s secrets.
Family and friends tend to be more loyal to the patient after asuicide attempt.
Many patients are mistrustful of speaking to health careprofessionals.
A patient with a history of attempted suicide is transferred toa different unit and is assigned to a new health care team member.Which action should the team member take first?
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team.
Inform the patient that he or she is being placed on suicideprecautions.
Place the patient in the room closest to the nurses’station.
Conduct a suicide risk assessment.
A health care team member is assessing suicide risk in anadolescent who has a history of self-injurious behaviors. Whichstatement about self-injury is true?
Only mental health practitioners should discuss self-injuriousbehaviors with patients.
Self-injury always precipitates a suicide attempt.
Self-injury is a maladaptive method of gaining attention.
Self-injurious behaviors are not part of normal adolescentdevelopment.
A patient has recently suffered a traumatic accident, resultingin loss of the left leg. The patient is unwilling to participate inphysical therapy, has been avoiding family, and wants to leaveagainst medical advice. Which intervention should be thepriority?
Encourage the physical therapist to establish a rapport with thepatient.
Tell the patient gently that leaving is unwise at this time.
Assess the wound area for signs of infection.
Assess the patient for depression and suicidal ideation.
Which intervention is the most important in assessing suicidalideation?
Establishing a therapeutic alliance with the patient
Asking the family to provide a patient history
Obtaining an accurate medication list
Using a direct approach when questioning the patient aboutsuicidal thoughts
