NR 326 Mental Health Nursing: Crisis Intervention & Suicide Risk 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is caring for a client who just lost their home in a wildfire. Which type
of crisis is the client experiencing?
A. Maturational crisis
B. Situational crisis
C. Internal crisis
D. Adventitious crisis
Answer: D
Rationale: An adventitious crisis is a crisis of disaster that is not a part of everyday life,
such as a natural disaster like a wildfire.
2. A client is experiencing a maturational crisis. Which of the following events is
most likely the cause?
A. Loss of a job
B. A physical assault
C. An earthquake
D. Retirement from a long career
Answer: D
Rationale: Maturational crises occur at developmental milestones or transitions in life,
such as retirement, marriage, or leaving home for college.
,3. During the first phase of a crisis, which of the following is the individual most
likely to experience?
A. Severe panic and disorientation
B. Increased anxiety and use of defense mechanisms
C. Failure of coping mechanisms and withdrawal
D. Resolution of the problem through new trial-and-error
Answer: B
Rationale: In Phase 1 of a crisis, the individual experiences increased anxiety which
triggers the use of defense mechanisms and problem-solving techniques.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for suicide risk. Which of the following
statements by the client is considered a covert comment?
A. I won’t be a problem much longer.
B. I wish I were dead.
C. I am going to kill myself tonight.
D. I have a plan to end my life.
Answer: A
Rationale: Covert comments are indirect or veiled hints about suicidal intent, whereas
overt comments are direct and clear.
5. Which of the following methods of suicide is considered the most lethal?
A. Using a firearm
B. Cutting one’s wrists
C. Inhaling carbon monoxide
D. Ingesting a bottle of aspirin
Answer: A
Rationale: Using a firearm is considered a high-lethality method because it is quick and
leaves little room for intervention or rescue.
, 6. A nurse is conducting a suicide risk assessment. Which factor represents the
highest risk?
A. The client has a vague wish to disappear.
B. The client has support from a religious community.
C. The client has a specific plan and access to a weapon.
D. The client is married with young children.
Answer: C
Rationale: A specific plan combined with the availability of a lethal method represents the
highest immediate risk for suicide.
7. What is the primary goal of crisis intervention?
A. To explore childhood trauma
B. To return the individual to their pre-crisis level of functioning
C. To provide long-term psychotherapy
D. To diagnose underlying personality disorders
Answer: B
Rationale: Crisis intervention is short-term and focused on returning the client to at least
their previous level of functioning.
8. Which of the following is a protective factor against suicide?
A. Social isolation
B. Family history of suicide
C. Chronic physical illness
D. Effective clinical care for mental disorders
Answer: D
Rationale: Protective factors include effective clinical care, strong family/community
connections, and skills in problem-solving.
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is caring for a client who just lost their home in a wildfire. Which type
of crisis is the client experiencing?
A. Maturational crisis
B. Situational crisis
C. Internal crisis
D. Adventitious crisis
Answer: D
Rationale: An adventitious crisis is a crisis of disaster that is not a part of everyday life,
such as a natural disaster like a wildfire.
2. A client is experiencing a maturational crisis. Which of the following events is
most likely the cause?
A. Loss of a job
B. A physical assault
C. An earthquake
D. Retirement from a long career
Answer: D
Rationale: Maturational crises occur at developmental milestones or transitions in life,
such as retirement, marriage, or leaving home for college.
,3. During the first phase of a crisis, which of the following is the individual most
likely to experience?
A. Severe panic and disorientation
B. Increased anxiety and use of defense mechanisms
C. Failure of coping mechanisms and withdrawal
D. Resolution of the problem through new trial-and-error
Answer: B
Rationale: In Phase 1 of a crisis, the individual experiences increased anxiety which
triggers the use of defense mechanisms and problem-solving techniques.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for suicide risk. Which of the following
statements by the client is considered a covert comment?
A. I won’t be a problem much longer.
B. I wish I were dead.
C. I am going to kill myself tonight.
D. I have a plan to end my life.
Answer: A
Rationale: Covert comments are indirect or veiled hints about suicidal intent, whereas
overt comments are direct and clear.
5. Which of the following methods of suicide is considered the most lethal?
A. Using a firearm
B. Cutting one’s wrists
C. Inhaling carbon monoxide
D. Ingesting a bottle of aspirin
Answer: A
Rationale: Using a firearm is considered a high-lethality method because it is quick and
leaves little room for intervention or rescue.
, 6. A nurse is conducting a suicide risk assessment. Which factor represents the
highest risk?
A. The client has a vague wish to disappear.
B. The client has support from a religious community.
C. The client has a specific plan and access to a weapon.
D. The client is married with young children.
Answer: C
Rationale: A specific plan combined with the availability of a lethal method represents the
highest immediate risk for suicide.
7. What is the primary goal of crisis intervention?
A. To explore childhood trauma
B. To return the individual to their pre-crisis level of functioning
C. To provide long-term psychotherapy
D. To diagnose underlying personality disorders
Answer: B
Rationale: Crisis intervention is short-term and focused on returning the client to at least
their previous level of functioning.
8. Which of the following is a protective factor against suicide?
A. Social isolation
B. Family history of suicide
C. Chronic physical illness
D. Effective clinical care for mental disorders
Answer: D
Rationale: Protective factors include effective clinical care, strong family/community
connections, and skills in problem-solving.
