Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE) Practice test

When a distressed parent contacts the RPN with slurred speech and expresses being overwhelmed, what is the priority action?

1. Administer an alcohol screening tool

2. Complete a suicide risk assessment

3. Validate the parent's feelings

4. Offer to arrange a family meeting

The correct answer is: Complete a suicide risk assessment

The priority action in this scenario focuses on assessing the immediate safety and well-being of the distressed parent. When a parent presents with slurred speech and expresses feelings of being overwhelmed, these symptoms may indicate a serious underlying issue that could include substance use, mental health crises, or risk for self-harm. Conducting a suicide risk assessment is crucial because it directly evaluates whether the individual poses a risk to themselves, which is paramount in any situation of distress. This assessment allows the RPN to gauge the severity of the parent’s emotional state and determine the need for urgent intervention or support services. Identifying suicidal ideation or intent can guide appropriate immediate responses, such as referral to mental health services or emergency care. The other actions, while potentially beneficial in a broader treatment scope, do not address immediate safety concerns. Administering an alcohol screening tool is valuable but should follow after ensuring the parent is safe. Validating the parent's feelings is essential for therapeutic rapport, yet it does not prioritize the urgent need for assessment of potential self-harm. Similarly, arranging a family meeting could be supportive in the long term but is not the most pressing action when safety is uncertain. Therefore, prioritizing the suicide risk assessment enables the RPN to address the most critical aspect