An older adult tells the nurse, “I have decided how I will end my life next week,” and describes access to the method. What is the nurse's priority action?

Correct answer: C. Remain with the patient and initiate urgent safety measures

  • A. Leave the patient alone to promote privacy
  • B. Ask the patient to promise not to act
  • C. Remain with the patient and initiate urgent safety measures
  • D. Suggest that the patient discuss the plan at the next appointment

Explanation

A specific plan, time, and access to means indicate immediate suicide risk, so the nurse must stay with the patient and obtain urgent support. A safety promise alone is not a sufficient intervention, and delaying assessment increases danger.

Submitted by a TestUstad contributor and published by the TestUstad editorial teamLast updated
Report an error

The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.

Prefer email? support@testustad.com

About Mental Health of Children and Older Adults

Mental health care for children and older adults requires age-appropriate assessment, communication, family involvement, and recognition of developmental changes. Coverage includes ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, childhood anxiety and depression, dementia, delirium, late-life depression, suicide risk, and the distinction between normal aging and cognitive disorder.

Practise Mental Health of Children and Older Adults

40 free Mental Health of Children and Older Adults MCQs from Mental Health Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Discussion

Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.

No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.

Exams that ask Mental Health Nursing questions like this

Mental Health Nursing is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

More Mental Health of Children and Older Adults questions