Risk factors
This age group has the highest suicide rate in the U.S.
Who are middle-aged adults?
The priority question when assessing suicide risk.
What is “Do you have a plan to harm yourself?”
The highest nursing priority for a patient who is actively suicidal.
What is ensuring safety?
Cutting, burning, or scratching without intent to die is called this.
What is nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)?
This method of suicide is considered highly lethal and is prioritized in risk assessment.
This method of suicide is considered highly lethal and is prioritized in risk assessment.
This type of contract used to be common but is no longer considered reliable.
What is a no-suicide contract?
A sudden improvement in mood after major depression may signal this.
What is an increased suicide risk due to having a plan?
A patient who gives away belongings is demonstrating this type of suicide clue.
What are behavioral cues?
This observation level requires the patient to be in arm’s reach at all times.
What is one-to-one (1:1) observation?
The primary function of NSSI for many patients.
What is emotional regulation or relief from distress?
Overdose is generally considered less lethal unless this type of medication is used.
What are tricyclic antidepressants or opioids?
A suicidal patient who expresses hopelessness is in this type of crisis state.
What is an acute crisis?
This psychiatric disorder is associated with the highest risk for suicide.
What is major depressive disorder?
The scale commonly used to assess suicidal ideation.
What is the SAD PERSONS scale?
When removing potential ligature risks, nurses are performing this type of precaution.
What are suicide precautions?
When assessing NSSI, the nurse must ask about this to differentiate from suicidal intent.
What is the purpose of the behavior?
The presence of this greatly increases the likelihood a person will act on suicidal thoughts.
What is access to means?
This short-term hospitalization goal focuses on keeping the patient alive while stabilizing mood.
What is safety stabilization?
A leading biological risk factor is a deficit in this neurotransmitter.
What is serotonin?
These two components of a suicide plan make the risk high.
What are specificity and lethality of the plan?
The type of communication that shows empathy and encourages patients to share feelings.
What is therapeutic communication?
This personality disorder is strongly associated with NSSI.
What is borderline personality disorder?
A patient’s detailed plan with a set date and access to means indicates this level of lethality.
What is high lethality?
When a family member dies by suicide, survivors are at increased risk for this.
What is suicide contagion or copycat suicide?
This gender attempts suicide more often, but the opposite gender dies more often.
Who are women (attempt) and men (complete)?
This term describes thinking that becomes narrowed and sees no alternatives.
What is cognitive constriction?
The nurse must ensure this legal and ethical factor is maintained while keeping the patient safe.
What is least restrictive care?
The evidence-based therapy most effective for chronic self-harm.
What is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?
When the environment is modified to remove means of harm, the nurse is performing this intervention.
What is means restriction?
After a patient verbalizes suicidal thoughts, the nurse’s next priority action.
What is performing a full suicide risk assessment?