1. Know the priority nursing intervention and rationale when a nurse discovers a client’s
suicide note that details the time, place and means to commit suicide.
● Placing this client on one-to-one suicide precautions, because the more specific
the plan, the more likely the client will attempt suicide
2. Know the nurse’s priority when writing an outcome in the plan of care for a suicidal client.
● The client will remain safe during the hospital stay.
3. Know the nurse’s priority intervention for a patient diagnosed with Major Depressive
Disorder that hears voices commanding self-harm and refuses to commit to a safety
contract.
● Placing the client on one-to-one observation while monitoring suicidal ideations
4. Know the nurse’s priority action when observes a patient who has history of (3) suicide
attempt, has been taking an antidepressant for 4 weeks and suddenly is talkative, happy,
with a bright affect.
● Increase frequency of client observation.
5. Know the nurse’s priority intervention and safety precautions that should be given that
are related to taking an (Elavil) amitriptyline prior to discharge.
● Provide a 1-week supply of Elavil with refills contingent on follow-up
appointments.
6. Know the most appropriate nursing diagnosis if a patient states, “Nothing will ever get
better” or “Nobody in my can help me.”
● Hopelessness R/T altered mood AEB client statements
7. Know what assessment information is a contributing factor, for a previously suicidal to
interdisciplinary team’s decision to discharge.
● Able to participate in a plan for safety; family agrees to constant observation
8. Know the nurse’s best information that should be given to the family that is supportive
and request more facts in caring for the patient after discharge.
● Be available to actively listen, support, and accept feelings.
9. Know information that should include when teaching a student about suicide in the
elderly population.
● Although the elderly make up less than 13% of the population, they account for
16% of all suicides.
10. Know what information is needed to determine the nurse’s plan of care when a patient is
threatening to commit suicide by hanging and states, I’m going to use a knotted sheet
when no one is around.”
● The more specific the plan is, the more likely the client will attempt suicide.
11. Know the best nursing reply when talking to a suicidal patient that states, “There’s
nothing to live for anymore.”
● It sounds like you are feeling pretty hopeless.
12. Know the best reply when asked by a student nurse to classify suicide.
● Suicide is a behavior.
13. Know the first nursing interventions that should be implemented when developing a plan
of care for a suicidal patient.
● Assess suicide risk.
suicide note that details the time, place and means to commit suicide.
● Placing this client on one-to-one suicide precautions, because the more specific
the plan, the more likely the client will attempt suicide
2. Know the nurse’s priority when writing an outcome in the plan of care for a suicidal client.
● The client will remain safe during the hospital stay.
3. Know the nurse’s priority intervention for a patient diagnosed with Major Depressive
Disorder that hears voices commanding self-harm and refuses to commit to a safety
contract.
● Placing the client on one-to-one observation while monitoring suicidal ideations
4. Know the nurse’s priority action when observes a patient who has history of (3) suicide
attempt, has been taking an antidepressant for 4 weeks and suddenly is talkative, happy,
with a bright affect.
● Increase frequency of client observation.
5. Know the nurse’s priority intervention and safety precautions that should be given that
are related to taking an (Elavil) amitriptyline prior to discharge.
● Provide a 1-week supply of Elavil with refills contingent on follow-up
appointments.
6. Know the most appropriate nursing diagnosis if a patient states, “Nothing will ever get
better” or “Nobody in my can help me.”
● Hopelessness R/T altered mood AEB client statements
7. Know what assessment information is a contributing factor, for a previously suicidal to
interdisciplinary team’s decision to discharge.
● Able to participate in a plan for safety; family agrees to constant observation
8. Know the nurse’s best information that should be given to the family that is supportive
and request more facts in caring for the patient after discharge.
● Be available to actively listen, support, and accept feelings.
9. Know information that should include when teaching a student about suicide in the
elderly population.
● Although the elderly make up less than 13% of the population, they account for
16% of all suicides.
10. Know what information is needed to determine the nurse’s plan of care when a patient is
threatening to commit suicide by hanging and states, I’m going to use a knotted sheet
when no one is around.”
● The more specific the plan is, the more likely the client will attempt suicide.
11. Know the best nursing reply when talking to a suicidal patient that states, “There’s
nothing to live for anymore.”
● It sounds like you are feeling pretty hopeless.
12. Know the best reply when asked by a student nurse to classify suicide.
● Suicide is a behavior.
13. Know the first nursing interventions that should be implemented when developing a plan
of care for a suicidal patient.
● Assess suicide risk.
