A nurse wants to assess for suicidal ideation in an elderly patient. Select the best question to begin the assessment
a. "What thoughts do you have about a person's right to take his or her life?"
b. "Do you have any risk factors that potentially contribute to suicide?"
c. "Do you think you are vulnerable to developing depressed mood?"
d. "If you felt suicidal, would you tell someone about your feelings?"
A
This question is clear, direct, and respectful. It will produce information relative to the acceptability of suicide as an option to the patient. If the patient deems suicide unacceptable, no further assessment is necessary. If the patient deems suicide as acceptable, the nurse can continue to assess intent, plan, means to carry out the plan, lethality of the chosen method, and so forth. The other options are less direct and may produce responses that may be unclear.
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