Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What is the recommended action of a nurse when a suicidal client reveals a plan?

1. Instantly guarantee safety

2. Calmly discuss the detailed plan with the client

3. Obtain immediate psychiatric consultation

4. Notify the appropriate medical personnel

The correct answer is: Notify the appropriate medical personnel

When a suicidal client reveals a plan, notifying the appropriate medical personnel is critical to ensure the client's safety and receive the necessary support. This action allows for a comprehensive assessment of the client’s mental health needs and facilitates timely interventions that could prevent the potential risk of self-harm. Medical personnel, which may include psychiatrists or mental health specialists, can provide further evaluation, treatment, and monitoring that extends beyond the immediate interaction between the nurse and the client. Other approaches, while potentially useful, do not replace the urgency of involving medical personnel. For instance, instantly guaranteeing safety may not be feasible in all situations without proper support and intervention from trained professionals. Calmly discussing the details of the plan risks reinforcing or normalizing the suicidal ideation without a therapeutic context. Meanwhile, obtaining an immediate psychiatric consultation is important, but it may be more effectively handled through communication with established medical personnel who can orchestrate the patient's care swiftly. Therefore, notifying the appropriate medical personnel ensures a coordinated response to a serious situation.