When the nurse wishes to pursue assessment of suicidal ideation in an elderly client, a question that
would provide valuable data is
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 communicate your feelings to anyone?"
A
This question is clear, direct, and respectful. It will produce information relative to the acceptability
of suicide as an option to the client. If the client deems suicide unacceptable, no further assessment
is necessary. If the client 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 will produce responses that may be unclear.
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