Page 2340 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

▪ Client statements indicating an intent to attempt suicide

▪ Sudden calmness or improvement in a depressed client
▪ Client inquiries about poisons, guns, or other lethal items or objects
▪ Sudden deterioration in school/work performance

Box 67-6

Suicidal Client: Assessment

Plan

▪ Does the client have a plan?
▪ Does the client have the means to carry out the plan?
▪ Has the client decided when she or he is going to carry out the plan?

Client History of Attempts

▪ What suicide attempts occurred in the past and what harm occurred?
▪ Was the client accidentally rescued?
▪ Have the past attempts and methods been the same, or have methods increased
in lethality?

Psychosocial Factors

▪ Is the client alone or alienated from others?
▪ Is hostility or depression present?
▪ Is the client experiencing hallucinations? Type of hallucination (audio/command,
visual)?
▪ Is substance abuse present?
▪ Has the client had any recent losses or physical illness?
▪ Has the client had any environmental or lifestyle changes?

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