Psychosocial IntegrityQuestion 987 of 2368
The nurse is caring for a withdrawn, sad adolescent. Which action is MOST important?
- Wait to see if the sadness resolves on its own
- Tell the adolescent that the problem is only a small disappointment
- Avoid the topic of suicide so the adolescent does not get ideas
- Ask the adolescent about thoughts of suicide or self-harm
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Correct answer: Ask the adolescent about thoughts of suicide or self-harm
Children and adolescents who are withdrawn or sad should be asked about suicide or self-harm, since they may see a single disappointment as catastrophic.
Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Mental Health Conditions: Assessment (Recognizing Cues). Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Psychosocial Integrity"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026