Select the most helpful response for a nurse to make when a patient being treated as an outpatient states, "I am considering suicide."
A) "I'm glad you shared this. Please do not worry. We will handle it together."
B) "I think you should admit yourself to the hospital to get help."
C) "We need to talk about the good things you have to live for."
D) "Bringing this up is a very positive action on your part."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This response gives the patient reinforcement and validation for making a positive response rather than acting out the suicidal impulse. It gives neither advice nor false reassurance, and it does not imply stereotypes such as, "You have a lot to live for." It uses the patient's ambivalence and sets the stage for more realistic problem-solving strategies.

Select the Most Helpful Response for a Nurse to Make