The ED nurse admitting a patient with a history of depression is screening the patient for suicide risk. What assessment question should the nurse ask when screening the patient?
A) "How would you describe your mood over the past few days?"
B) "Have you ever thought about taking your own life?"
C) "How do you think that your life is most likely to end?"
D) "How would you rate the severity of your depression right now on a 10-point scale?"
Ans: B
Feedback:
The nurse should address the patient's possible plans for suicide in a direct yet empathic manner. The nurse should avoid oblique or indirect references to suicide and should not limit questions to the patient's depression.
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