Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

A priority assessment for a nurse caring for a client with schizoaffective disorder is to evaluate the client's risk for?

1. Self-harm

2. Suicide

3. Addiction

4. Isolation

The correct answer is: Suicide

Evaluating a client's risk for suicide is a crucial priority when caring for individuals with schizoaffective disorder. This condition, which encompasses both mood disorder symptoms, such as depression or mania, and symptoms of schizophrenia, can significantly impact a person's mental health and functioning. Those with schizoaffective disorder may experience severe mood fluctuations, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness or helplessness, increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. By prioritizing the assessment of suicide risk, the nurse can identify clients who may be in crisis and require immediate intervention. Recognizing warning signs, such as expressions of despair, changes in behavior, or withdrawal from social interactions, helps in implementing appropriate safety measures or treatment modifications. Understanding these factors is vital because addressing suicide risk can be life-saving and fosters a supportive environment that encourages patients to express their feelings and seek help. While assessing for self-harm, addiction, and isolation is also important, the immediate and potentially life-threatening nature of suicide risk places it at the forefront in caring for clients with schizoaffective disorder.