Discharge summary: Diagnosis: major depressive disorder; Attempt: overdose of stored acetaminophen and sleeping pills; Lives with roommate; firearm in home belongs to roommate; New prescription: sertraline 50 mg daily A client is being discharged after hospitalization for a suicide attempt by overdose. Which items belong in the client's safety plan? Select all that apply.

Names and numbers of people and crisis services to contact

Removing or locking up the firearm and limiting stored medications

Internal coping strategies the client can use alone

A list of personal warning signs that a crisis may be developing

Advice to avoid telling the roommate about the plan for privacy

A 90-day supply of sertraline to avoid missed doses

A promise not to harm themself as a replacement for follow-up

NCLEX-RN practice › Psychosocial Integrity

NCLEX mental health question: suicide safety plan (SATA)

Psychosocial Integrity · Select all that apply · Clinical judgment step: Generate solutions

Client record

Discharge summary

Diagnosis: major depressive disorder
Attempt: overdose of stored acetaminophen and sleeping pills

Lives with roommate; firearm in home belongs to roommate

New prescription: sertraline 50 mg daily

A client is being discharged after hospitalization for a suicide attempt by overdose. Which items belong in the client's safety plan? Select all that apply.

A. Advice to avoid telling the roommate about the plan for privacy
B. A 90-day supply of sertraline to avoid missed doses
C. Names and numbers of people and crisis services to contact
D. Removing or locking up the firearm and limiting stored medications
E. Internal coping strategies the client can use alone
F. A promise not to harm themself as a replacement for follow-up
G. A list of personal warning signs that a crisis may be developing

Show the answer and rationales

Answer: C, D, E, G

A safety plan lists warning signs, coping strategies, social contacts, professional and crisis contacts, and steps to restrict lethal means. No-harm contracts are not effective.

A. Incorrect. Involving trusted people in the plan improves safety.
B. Incorrect. Large supplies increase overdose risk; small supplies are dispensed early in treatment.
C. Correct. The plan lists support people, the crisis line and emergency services.
D. Correct. Restricting access to lethal means is one of the most effective suicide prevention measures.
E. Correct. Self-soothing activities help the client manage urges before reaching out.
F. Incorrect. No-suicide contracts are not effective and do not replace a safety plan or follow-up.
G. Correct. Recognising triggers and warning signs is the first step of a safety plan.

Scoring: select all that apply items on the Next Generation NCLEX use plus/minus scoring. You gain a point for each correct option you choose and lose a point for each incorrect one, with a minimum of zero. This item is worth 4 points.

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NCLEX mental health question: suicide safety plan (SATA)

Discharge summary

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