• Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
Test Bank 1 for Varcarolis' Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing A Clinical,
9th Edition by Halter, 9780323697071,
Covering Chapters 1-36 | Includes Rationales
Which nursing intervention strategy is most appropriate to implement initially with a suicidal client?
A. Ask a direct question such as, "Do you ever think about killing yourself?"
B. Ask client, "Please rate your mood on a scale from 1 to 10."
C. Establish a trusting nurse-client relationship.
D. Apply the nursing process to the planning of client care. –
Correct Answer :ANS: A
The risk of suicide is greatly increased if the client has suicidal ideations, if the client has developed a plan, and
particularly if the means exist for the client to execute the plan.
P 1
, • Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation | Client Need: Safe
and Effective Care Environment
A client is newly committed to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which nursing intervention best lowers this client's
risk for suicide?
A. Encouraging participation in the milieu to promote hope
B. Developing a strong personal relationship with the client
C. Observing the client at intervals determined by assessed data
D. Encouraging and redirecting the client to concentrate on happier times
- Correct Answer :ANS: C
The nurse should observe the actively suicidal client continuously for the first hour after admission. After a full
assessment the treatment team will determine the observation status of the client. Observation of the client
allows the nurse to interrupt any observed suicidal behaviors.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation | Client Need: Safe
and Effective Care Environment
Which client data indicate that a suicidal client is participating in a plan for safety?
A. Compliance with antidepressant therapy
B. A mood rating of 9/10
C. Disclosing a plan for suicide to staff
D. Expressing feelings of hopelessness to nurse –
Correct Answer :ANS: C
A degree of the responsibility for the suicidal client's safety is given to the client. When a client shares with staff a
plan for suicide, the client is participating in a plan for safety by communicating thoughts of self-harm that would
initiate interventions to prevent suicide.
P 2
, • Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Evaluation | Client Need: Psychosocial
Integrity
Which statement indicates that the nurse is acting as an advocate for a client who was hospitalized after a
suicide attempt and is now nearing discharge?
A. "I must observe you continually for 1 hour in order to keep you safe."
B. "Let's confer with the treatment team about the resources that you may need after discharge."
C. "You must have been very upset to do what you did today."
D. "Are you currently thinking about harming yourself?" –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
The nurse is functioning in an advocacy role when collaborating with the client and treatment team to discuss
client problems and needs.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation | Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
A client is newly admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which of the following is most critical to assess when
determining risk for suicide?
A. Family history of depression
B. The client's orientation to reality
C. The client's history of suicide attempts
D. Family support systems –
Correct Answer :ANS: C
A history of suicide attempts places a client at a higher risk for current suicide behaviors. Knowing this specific
data will alert the nurse to the client's risk.
P 3
, • Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
KEY: Cognitive Level: Analysis | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Safe and
Effective Care Environment
A client has been brought to the emergency department for signs and symptoms of Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The client has a history of a suicide attempt 1 year ago. Which nursing intervention
would take priority in this situation?
A. Assessing the client's pulse oximetry and vital signs
B. Developing a plan for safety for the client
C. Assessing the client for suicidal ideations
D. Establishing a trusting nurse-client relationship –
Correct Answer :ANS: A
It is important to prioritize client interventions that assess the symptoms of COPD prior to any other nursing
intervention. Physical needs must be prioritized according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. This client's problems
with oxygenation will take priority over assessing for current suicidal ideations.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Safe and
Effective Care Environment
After a teenager reveals that he is gay, the father responds by beating him. The next morning, the teenager is
found hanging in his closet. Which paternal grief responses should a nurse anticipate? Select all that apply.
A. "I can't believe this is happening."
B. "If only I had been more understanding."
C. "How dare he do this to me!"
D. "I'm just going to have to accept that he was gay."
E. "Well, that was a selfish thing to do." - Correct Answer :ANS: A, B, C
Suicide of a family member can induce a whole gamut of feelings in the survivors. Shock, disbelief, guilt, remorse,
anger, and resentment are all feelings that may be experienced by this father. The last two possible responses
suggest acceptance and understanding. It is far more common for survivors of suicide to have a sense of feeling
wounded and as if they will never get over it.
P 4
Health
Test Bank 1 for Varcarolis' Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing A Clinical,
9th Edition by Halter, 9780323697071,
Covering Chapters 1-36 | Includes Rationales
Which nursing intervention strategy is most appropriate to implement initially with a suicidal client?
A. Ask a direct question such as, "Do you ever think about killing yourself?"
B. Ask client, "Please rate your mood on a scale from 1 to 10."
C. Establish a trusting nurse-client relationship.
D. Apply the nursing process to the planning of client care. –
Correct Answer :ANS: A
The risk of suicide is greatly increased if the client has suicidal ideations, if the client has developed a plan, and
particularly if the means exist for the client to execute the plan.
P 1
, • Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation | Client Need: Safe
and Effective Care Environment
A client is newly committed to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which nursing intervention best lowers this client's
risk for suicide?
A. Encouraging participation in the milieu to promote hope
B. Developing a strong personal relationship with the client
C. Observing the client at intervals determined by assessed data
D. Encouraging and redirecting the client to concentrate on happier times
- Correct Answer :ANS: C
The nurse should observe the actively suicidal client continuously for the first hour after admission. After a full
assessment the treatment team will determine the observation status of the client. Observation of the client
allows the nurse to interrupt any observed suicidal behaviors.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation | Client Need: Safe
and Effective Care Environment
Which client data indicate that a suicidal client is participating in a plan for safety?
A. Compliance with antidepressant therapy
B. A mood rating of 9/10
C. Disclosing a plan for suicide to staff
D. Expressing feelings of hopelessness to nurse –
Correct Answer :ANS: C
A degree of the responsibility for the suicidal client's safety is given to the client. When a client shares with staff a
plan for suicide, the client is participating in a plan for safety by communicating thoughts of self-harm that would
initiate interventions to prevent suicide.
P 2
, • Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Evaluation | Client Need: Psychosocial
Integrity
Which statement indicates that the nurse is acting as an advocate for a client who was hospitalized after a
suicide attempt and is now nearing discharge?
A. "I must observe you continually for 1 hour in order to keep you safe."
B. "Let's confer with the treatment team about the resources that you may need after discharge."
C. "You must have been very upset to do what you did today."
D. "Are you currently thinking about harming yourself?" –
Correct Answer :ANS: B
The nurse is functioning in an advocacy role when collaborating with the client and treatment team to discuss
client problems and needs.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation | Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
A client is newly admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which of the following is most critical to assess when
determining risk for suicide?
A. Family history of depression
B. The client's orientation to reality
C. The client's history of suicide attempts
D. Family support systems –
Correct Answer :ANS: C
A history of suicide attempts places a client at a higher risk for current suicide behaviors. Knowing this specific
data will alert the nurse to the client's risk.
P 3
, • Psychiatric Mental 09/07/2026
Health
KEY: Cognitive Level: Analysis | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Safe and
Effective Care Environment
A client has been brought to the emergency department for signs and symptoms of Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The client has a history of a suicide attempt 1 year ago. Which nursing intervention
would take priority in this situation?
A. Assessing the client's pulse oximetry and vital signs
B. Developing a plan for safety for the client
C. Assessing the client for suicidal ideations
D. Establishing a trusting nurse-client relationship –
Correct Answer :ANS: A
It is important to prioritize client interventions that assess the symptoms of COPD prior to any other nursing
intervention. Physical needs must be prioritized according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. This client's problems
with oxygenation will take priority over assessing for current suicidal ideations.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Safe and
Effective Care Environment
After a teenager reveals that he is gay, the father responds by beating him. The next morning, the teenager is
found hanging in his closet. Which paternal grief responses should a nurse anticipate? Select all that apply.
A. "I can't believe this is happening."
B. "If only I had been more understanding."
C. "How dare he do this to me!"
D. "I'm just going to have to accept that he was gay."
E. "Well, that was a selfish thing to do." - Correct Answer :ANS: A, B, C
Suicide of a family member can induce a whole gamut of feelings in the survivors. Shock, disbelief, guilt, remorse,
anger, and resentment are all feelings that may be experienced by this father. The last two possible responses
suggest acceptance and understanding. It is far more common for survivors of suicide to have a sense of feeling
wounded and as if they will never get over it.
P 4
