Practice Question
A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who verbalized to a family member that they do not want to live anymore after the death Of their child. Which Of the following assessments should the nurse plan to perform first?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Ask the client if they have a plan for ending their life.
Rationale:
💎The most urgent priority in suicide assessment is determining if the client has a specific plan, because this indicates the level of risk and immediacy of danger.
💎If a plan exists, the nurse can then assess lethality, means, and intent, which directly guide safety interventions.
💎Other assessments, such as past history or social supports, are important but are secondary to establishing current suicide risk.
💎This aligns with the safety-first principle, as suicide is a life-threatening emergency.
💎Asking directly about suicide does not increase risk—instead, it provides an opportunity for intervention and demonstrates therapeutic concern.
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This question is from RN Mental Health 2023 B which contains 65 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Mental Health
- Answer Choices: 4