Risk Assessment & Screening Tools Flashcards
7 cards from real AAS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Risk Assessment & Screening Tools flashcards as text
Which of the following is a WARNING SIGN of imminent suicide risk, as distinguished from a long-term risk factor?
Answer: Giving away prized possessions
Giving away prized possessions is a behavioral warning sign indicating possible imminent intent, unlike demographic or historical risk factors.
The Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS) is unique because it measures:
Answer: Frequency, controllability, closeness to attempt, distress, and functional impairment
SIDAS assesses five ideation attributes—frequency, controllability, closeness to acting, distress, and interference—yielding a continuous severity score.
In the Joiner Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, the concept of 'thwarted belongingness' refers to:
Answer: A perceived absence of social connection and feeling alone
Thwarted belongingness is the painful belief that one lacks meaningful social bonds and does not belong to a valued group.
A patient reports ideation with a plan but states they would never act because of their children. Clinically, this most directly reflects:
Answer: Strong protective factors buffering against action
Children as a reason for living is a potent protective factor that can reduce the likelihood of acting on ideation, even when intent exists.
The InterSePT scale (InterSePT Scale for Suicidal Thinking) was originally developed to monitor suicidal ideation in patients with:
Answer: Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
InterSePT was developed as an outcome measure in the landmark study of clozapine's anti-suicidal effects in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
When a clinician documents 'low acute / high chronic' risk, which management approach is most appropriate?
Answer: Outpatient safety planning with close follow-up and means restriction
Low acute / high chronic risk typically indicates intensive outpatient care with a robust safety plan, not hospitalization unless acute risk escalates.
The concept of 'plan specificity' in suicide risk assessment refers to:
Answer: The degree of detail the patient has developed about how, when, and where
A highly specific plan (method, time, place, preparations) indicates greater seriousness and elevated risk compared to a vague or unformulated plan.