RN Exam Practice
Psychosocial IntegrityQuestion 1488 of 2368

An 87-year-old client with diabetes and heart disease reports feeling sad and empty and having thoughts of death. Which risk should the nurse recognize?

  1. Sadness is an expected part of normal aging
  2. Older adults have an increased risk for suicide
  3. The symptoms are due to dementia and cannot be treated
  4. Depression in older adults resolves without treatment
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Correct answer: Older adults have an increased risk for suicide

Suicide risk is high in older adults, and rates are second highest after age 85. Depression is treatable with medication and psychotherapy.

Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Cognitive Impairments: Depression. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Psychosocial Integrity"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026