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NCLEX · Lifestyle Choices and Self-Care

Which population has the HIGHEST documented risk for suicide in the United States?

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Correct answer

Elderly white males — men aged 75 and above have the highest suicide rate of any demographic group in the United States; older white males who are recently widowed, socially isolated, or have chronic illness are at particularly elevated risk

  1. A Elderly white males — men aged 75 and above have the highest suicide rate of any demographic group in the United States; older white males who are recently widowed, socially isolated, or have chronic illness are at particularly elevated risk
  2. B Military veterans only
  3. C Middle-aged white males
  4. D Adolescent females

Why this is the answer

SUICIDE RISK BY DEMOGRAPHIC (CDC data): Overall highest rate: men (4× higher than women); By age and race: White men have the highest rates across most age groups; Elderly white males 75+ have the highest absolute rate of any demographic group;

Risk factors: Social isolation; recent loss (spouse, independence); chronic illness or pain; access to lethal means (firearms); alcohol use; depression (often unrecognised and undertreated in older men who see help-seeking as weakness).

Protective factors: Social connectedness; religious affiliation; reason for living (grandchildren); engagement with healthcare.

Veterans: Also at elevated risk (20 veteran suicides per day) but not the highest-rate demographic as a whole; firearm access is a specific risk factor in this population.

LPN role: Depression screening at every encounter with high-risk populations; involve social work; assess for means access.

Source: NCLEX-PN HP — Community Health, Suicide Risk Demographics

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About this topic: Lifestyle Choices and Self-Care

Lifestyle and self-care questions cover client teaching on nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, stress and sleep, and the principles of health promotion and disease prevention at the primary level. This is one of 18 PN: Health Promotion and Maintenance questions on lifestyle choices and self-care, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our NCLEX exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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