Risk for Self-Directed Harm: Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
🎓 Educational reference. Match to your patient's actual assessment data and have your instructor review it.
Definition: Susceptibility to intentionally self-inflicted, life-threatening injury.
Related factors ("related to")
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Depressed mood
- Prior attempts or losses
Defining characteristics ("as evidenced by")
- (Risk diagnosis) Expressed hopelessness
- Mood symptoms; possible expressed thoughts of self-harm
Sample goals / outcomes
- Patient remains safe and free of self-harm throughout the care period.
Nursing interventions
- Assess suicide risk directly; provide a safe environment per protocol
- Build a trusting, nonjudgmental relationship
- Monitor medication response and connect to support/therapy
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Build a care plan freeRisk for Self-Directed Harm nursing diagnosis: FAQ
What is the Risk for Self-Directed Harm nursing diagnosis?
Susceptibility to intentionally self-inflicted, life-threatening injury.
What are the related factors for Risk for Self-Directed Harm?
Common related factors: Feelings of hopelessness; Depressed mood; Prior attempts or losses. In your care plan, write it as "Risk for Self-Directed Harm related to [factor] as evidenced by [your patient's data]."
What are nursing interventions for Risk for Self-Directed Harm?
Key interventions: Assess suicide risk directly; provide a safe environment per protocol; Build a trusting, nonjudgmental relationship; Monitor medication response and connect to support/therapy — each with a rationale in your plan.
Last reviewed 2026-07. Educational content in standard clinical language; not medical advice and not affiliated with NANDA-I/NIC/NOC.