A nurse assesses a patient who reports a 3-week history of depression and crying spells. The patient says, "My business is bankrupt, and I was served with divorce papers." Which subsequent statement by the patient alerts the nurse to a concealed suicidal message?
A) "I wish I were dead."
B) "Life is not worth living."
C) "I have a plan that will fix everything."
D) "My family will be better off without me."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Verbal clues to suicide may be overt or covert. The incorrect options are overt references to suicide. The correct option is more veiled. It alludes to the patient's suicide as being a way to "fix everything" but does not say it outright.

A Nurse Assesses a Patient Who Reports a 3-Week History