Varcarolis Chapter 25 - Suicide & Nonsuicidal
Varcarolis
Self-Injury
Chapter _25
2026_2027.pdf
- Suicide & Nonsuicidal Self-Injury _ 2026_2027.pdf Page 1
Varcarolis Chapter 25 - Suicide &
Nonsuicidal Self-Injury | 2026/2027
Page 1 of 53 Page 1 Varcarolis
of 53 Chapter 25 - Suicide & Nonsuicidal Self-Injury _ 2026_2027.pdf
,Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf Page 2
A patient tells the nurse that he or she believes his or her situation is intolerable. The nurse
assesses that the patient is isolating socially. A nursing diagnosis that should be considered
is
1. Hopelessness
2. Deficient knowledge
3. Chronic low self-esteem
4. Compromised family coping
1
Which neurotransmitter has been implicated as playing a part in the decision to commit
suicide?
1. γ-Aminobutyric acid
2. Dopamine
3. Serotonin
4. Acetylcholine
3
Page 2 of 53 Page 2 of 53 Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf
,Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf Page 3
Which change in neurotransmission is associated with suicidal thinking?
1. Increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity in the hypothalamus.
2. Increased norepinephrine reserves in the thalamus and pons.
3. Decreased serotonin activity in the brainstem and prefrontal cortex.
4. Decreased numbers of dopamine and glutamate receptors in the temporal lobes.
3
Low serotonin levels are related to depressed mood and depression is commonly
associated with suicide. Postmortem examinations of individuals who complete
suicide also reveal a low level of serotonin in the brainstem or the frontal cortex.
GABA is associated with anxiety. Increased norepinephrine is associated with
stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.
Page 3 of 53 Page 3 of 53 Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf
, Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf Page 4
A patient admitted to the hospital for radiation therapy for lung cancer wants to end his life.
What would be the most appropriate response of the nurse?
1. Inform the health care provider.
2. Inform the hospital security staff.
3. Ignore the patient and continue with the assessment.
4. Ask if the patient has any plans to commit suicide.
4
A man tells the nurse that his life became a mess after he married his wife a few months
earlier and he has no reason to continue living. What should the nurse ask him first?
1. "Do you have any plans to end your life right now?"
2. "Life has ups and downs, but we need to face it bravely."
3. "Do you have any relatives to look after you when you are sick?"
4. "Can you please tell me the exact duration of your married life?"
1
Page 4 of 53 Page 4 of 53 Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf
Varcarolis
Self-Injury
Chapter _25
2026_2027.pdf
- Suicide & Nonsuicidal Self-Injury _ 2026_2027.pdf Page 1
Varcarolis Chapter 25 - Suicide &
Nonsuicidal Self-Injury | 2026/2027
Page 1 of 53 Page 1 Varcarolis
of 53 Chapter 25 - Suicide & Nonsuicidal Self-Injury _ 2026_2027.pdf
,Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf Page 2
A patient tells the nurse that he or she believes his or her situation is intolerable. The nurse
assesses that the patient is isolating socially. A nursing diagnosis that should be considered
is
1. Hopelessness
2. Deficient knowledge
3. Chronic low self-esteem
4. Compromised family coping
1
Which neurotransmitter has been implicated as playing a part in the decision to commit
suicide?
1. γ-Aminobutyric acid
2. Dopamine
3. Serotonin
4. Acetylcholine
3
Page 2 of 53 Page 2 of 53 Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf
,Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf Page 3
Which change in neurotransmission is associated with suicidal thinking?
1. Increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity in the hypothalamus.
2. Increased norepinephrine reserves in the thalamus and pons.
3. Decreased serotonin activity in the brainstem and prefrontal cortex.
4. Decreased numbers of dopamine and glutamate receptors in the temporal lobes.
3
Low serotonin levels are related to depressed mood and depression is commonly
associated with suicide. Postmortem examinations of individuals who complete
suicide also reveal a low level of serotonin in the brainstem or the frontal cortex.
GABA is associated with anxiety. Increased norepinephrine is associated with
stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.
Page 3 of 53 Page 3 of 53 Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf
, Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf Page 4
A patient admitted to the hospital for radiation therapy for lung cancer wants to end his life.
What would be the most appropriate response of the nurse?
1. Inform the health care provider.
2. Inform the hospital security staff.
3. Ignore the patient and continue with the assessment.
4. Ask if the patient has any plans to commit suicide.
4
A man tells the nurse that his life became a mess after he married his wife a few months
earlier and he has no reason to continue living. What should the nurse ask him first?
1. "Do you have any plans to end your life right now?"
2. "Life has ups and downs, but we need to face it bravely."
3. "Do you have any relatives to look after you when you are sick?"
4. "Can you please tell me the exact duration of your married life?"
1
Page 4 of 53 Page 4 of 53 Varcarolis Chapter 25_ Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury.pdf
