Crisis Intervention & Suicide Risk Practice Exam
( Questions 1–150)
1. A client expresses hopelessness and states, "I feel like everyone
would be better off without me." What is the nurse’s priority
action?
Assess for suicidal thoughts and intent
Rationale: Assessing for suicidal ideation is the first priority to
determine the level of risk and the need for immediate
intervention.
2. Which statement by a client is the strongest indicator of imminent
suicide risk?
"I have a plan to end my life tonight."
Rationale: Having a specific plan indicates a higher risk of suicide
compared to general thoughts or feelings of hopelessness.
3. During a crisis, a client is pacing and yelling. What is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
Maintain a calm presence and ensure safety
Rationale: Maintaining a calm presence helps de-escalate the
situation, while safety is the top priority.
4. What is a primary goal of crisis intervention?
Restore the client’s equilibrium and coping abilities
Rationale: Crisis intervention focuses on stabilizing the client and
enhancing adaptive coping strategies.
5. Which client is at highest risk for suicide?
A 45-year-old male with depression and recent job loss
Rationale: Middle-aged males with depression and recent
significant life stressors are at higher risk for suicide.
,6. A nurse is developing a safety plan for a suicidal client. Which
component is essential?
Identifying warning signs and coping strategies
Rationale: Recognizing triggers and having coping strategies in
place can prevent progression from ideation to action.
7. Which intervention is most effective for a client in acute
emotional crisis?
Active listening and empathy
Rationale: Active listening helps the client feel understood and
supported, which is critical during a crisis.
8. A client with a history of suicide attempts presents to the ED.
Which is the priority nursing action?
Ensure 1:1 observation and remove means of self-harm
Rationale: Continuous observation and environmental safety
prevent immediate self-harm.
9. Which factor increases the risk of suicide in adolescents?
History of bullying and social isolation
Rationale: Social stressors and peer rejection significantly
increase suicide risk in adolescents.
10. What is an example of a maladaptive coping response to
crisis?
Alcohol use to numb emotions
Rationale: Substance use is an avoidant and harmful coping
mechanism that increases risk during crises.
11. Which client statement indicates a need for immediate
intervention?
"I’ve written my goodbye letters."
, Rationale: Writing farewell letters often signals imminent
suicide risk and requires immediate action.
12. Which is the most important nursing consideration when
assessing suicidal ideation?
Ask direct questions about thoughts, plans, and means
Rationale: Direct questioning is more effective and does not
increase risk; it helps determine urgency.
13. A client is experiencing a situational crisis after a divorce.
What intervention is most appropriate?
Encourage expression of feelings and support decision-making
Rationale: Supporting emotional expression and problem-solving
helps restore coping and adaptation.
14. Which client behavior may indicate escalating suicide risk?
Sudden giving away of prized possessions
Rationale: This is a warning sign that the client may be
preparing to end their life.
15. What is the purpose of using a suicide risk assessment tool?
Quantify risk to guide intervention planning
Rationale: Risk assessment tools help clinicians identify level of
risk and determine appropriate safety measures.
16. Which population has the highest suicide completion rate?
Elderly white males
Rationale: Older white males have a higher rate of completed
suicide, often due to lethality of chosen methods and isolation.
17. During a crisis, which approach is most therapeutic for a
client experiencing panic?
Remain with the client and use clear, simple instructions
( Questions 1–150)
1. A client expresses hopelessness and states, "I feel like everyone
would be better off without me." What is the nurse’s priority
action?
Assess for suicidal thoughts and intent
Rationale: Assessing for suicidal ideation is the first priority to
determine the level of risk and the need for immediate
intervention.
2. Which statement by a client is the strongest indicator of imminent
suicide risk?
"I have a plan to end my life tonight."
Rationale: Having a specific plan indicates a higher risk of suicide
compared to general thoughts or feelings of hopelessness.
3. During a crisis, a client is pacing and yelling. What is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
Maintain a calm presence and ensure safety
Rationale: Maintaining a calm presence helps de-escalate the
situation, while safety is the top priority.
4. What is a primary goal of crisis intervention?
Restore the client’s equilibrium and coping abilities
Rationale: Crisis intervention focuses on stabilizing the client and
enhancing adaptive coping strategies.
5. Which client is at highest risk for suicide?
A 45-year-old male with depression and recent job loss
Rationale: Middle-aged males with depression and recent
significant life stressors are at higher risk for suicide.
,6. A nurse is developing a safety plan for a suicidal client. Which
component is essential?
Identifying warning signs and coping strategies
Rationale: Recognizing triggers and having coping strategies in
place can prevent progression from ideation to action.
7. Which intervention is most effective for a client in acute
emotional crisis?
Active listening and empathy
Rationale: Active listening helps the client feel understood and
supported, which is critical during a crisis.
8. A client with a history of suicide attempts presents to the ED.
Which is the priority nursing action?
Ensure 1:1 observation and remove means of self-harm
Rationale: Continuous observation and environmental safety
prevent immediate self-harm.
9. Which factor increases the risk of suicide in adolescents?
History of bullying and social isolation
Rationale: Social stressors and peer rejection significantly
increase suicide risk in adolescents.
10. What is an example of a maladaptive coping response to
crisis?
Alcohol use to numb emotions
Rationale: Substance use is an avoidant and harmful coping
mechanism that increases risk during crises.
11. Which client statement indicates a need for immediate
intervention?
"I’ve written my goodbye letters."
, Rationale: Writing farewell letters often signals imminent
suicide risk and requires immediate action.
12. Which is the most important nursing consideration when
assessing suicidal ideation?
Ask direct questions about thoughts, plans, and means
Rationale: Direct questioning is more effective and does not
increase risk; it helps determine urgency.
13. A client is experiencing a situational crisis after a divorce.
What intervention is most appropriate?
Encourage expression of feelings and support decision-making
Rationale: Supporting emotional expression and problem-solving
helps restore coping and adaptation.
14. Which client behavior may indicate escalating suicide risk?
Sudden giving away of prized possessions
Rationale: This is a warning sign that the client may be
preparing to end their life.
15. What is the purpose of using a suicide risk assessment tool?
Quantify risk to guide intervention planning
Rationale: Risk assessment tools help clinicians identify level of
risk and determine appropriate safety measures.
16. Which population has the highest suicide completion rate?
Elderly white males
Rationale: Older white males have a higher rate of completed
suicide, often due to lethality of chosen methods and isolation.
17. During a crisis, which approach is most therapeutic for a
client experiencing panic?
Remain with the client and use clear, simple instructions
