Suicide Assessment and Prevention

Course #56443-


Study Points

  1. Review the epidemiology of suicide.
  2. Describe the impact of suicide in the treatment of special populations, including among military veterans.
  3. Identify risk and protective factors for suicide.
  4. Discuss warning signs of imminent suicide and the importance of lethal means.
  5. Evaluate tools available for the assessment and evaluation of suicide risk.
  6. Outline key components of an effective suicide prevention plan.

    1 . In 2024, how many suicide deaths were reported in the United States?
    A) 4,277
    B) 27,489
    C) 48,824
    D) 173,422

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    2 . The only country in which the female suicide rate exceeds the male rate is
    A) Cuba.
    B) China.
    C) Russia.
    D) the United States.

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    3 . Which of the following relationship statuses is NOT a high-risk demographic for suicide among women?
    A) Single
    B) Married
    C) Widowed
    D) Recently separated

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    4 . Most adolescent suicides occur at
    A) school after hours.
    B) the residence of a friend.
    C) home after school hours.
    D) the residence of a relative.

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    5 . Which of the following is TRUE regarding suicide among older adults?
    A) Untreated depression is a primary cause.
    B) Suicide is rarely preceded by only one factor.
    C) The suicide rate in elderly men is 5 times that of same-aged women.
    D) All of the above

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    6 . Which of the following contributes to the high rate of suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth?
    A) Higher income
    B) Greater family support
    C) Stigma and discrimination
    D) Higher perceived safety at school

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    7 . Which of the following is NOT a protective factor against suicide?
    A) Shame and stigma
    B) Access to effective clinical care
    C) Restricted access to highly lethal means of suicide
    D) Strong connections to family and community support

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    8 . Which of the following is an example of a general biopsychosocial risk factor for suicide?
    A) Local clusters of suicide
    B) Media exposure to suicide
    C) History of childhood physical or sexual abuse
    D) Barriers to accessing mental health care or support

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    9 . What proportion of persons who die of suicide have diagnosable psychiatric illness at the time of death?
    A) Less than 10%
    B) 25%
    C) 50%
    D) 90%

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    10 . The psychiatric condition most associated with suicide is
    A) schizophrenia.
    B) panic disorder.
    C) anxiety disorder.
    D) major depression.

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    11 . Which of the following is TRUE regarding alcohol/drug use and suicide?
    A) A substantial proportion of suicide victims test positive for alcohol and/or other drugs.
    B) Comorbid substance use and psychiatric disorders substantially increase the risk of suicidal behavior.
    C) Alcohol and drug abuse are second only to mood disorders as conditions most associated with suicide.
    D) All of the above

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    12 . Which of the following sociodemographic factors is NOT associated with increased suicide risk?
    A) Unemployment
    B) Marriage among men
    C) Previous suicide attempt
    D) Occupations such as veterinary surgeons, pharmacists, dentists, and farmers

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    13 . Which of the following is considered a risk factor for suicide in military veterans?
    A) Traumatic brain injury
    B) Administrative separation from service/unit
    C) Combat exposure (particularly deployment to a combat theater and/or adverse deployment experiences)
    D) All of the above

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    14 . Which of the following is a warning sign of imminent suicide?
    A) Decreased alcohol and/or other drug use
    B) Distant history of humiliation, failure, or severe loss
    C) Making a plan (e.g., giving away prized possessions)
    D) Recent inhibition and unwillingness to take necessary risks

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    15 . Superficial-to-moderate intentional self-harm is characterized by
    A) dementia.
    B) fatal intent.
    C) suicidal behaviors.
    D) a desire to relieve tension, release anger, and regain self-control.

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    16 . What is the most commonly used lethal means in suicide completions?
    A) Firearms
    B) Prescription drugs
    C) Rope (i.e., suffocation)
    D) Household toxins (e.g., bleach)

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    17 . All of the following are recommended in the assessment of suicide risk, EXCEPT:
    A) Show a willingness to help.
    B) Establish a positive rapport with the patient.
    C) Ask closed-ended and direct questions at the beginning of the meeting.
    D) Gradually ask a series of open-ended questions probing for feelings, thoughts, and behaviors consistent with suicide risk.

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    18 . Intermediate acute risk patients include those patients with
    A) recent suicidal ideation who have no specific plans or intent to engage in lethal self-directed violence and have no history of active suicidal behavior.
    B) an appropriately managed mental disorder who do not report suicidal thoughts.
    C) current suicidal ideation but with no intent or preparatory behavior.
    D) warning signs, serious thoughts of suicide, a plan and/or intent to engage in lethal self-directed violence, a recent suicide attempt, and/or those with prominent agitation, impulsivity, psychosis.

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    19 . Which of the following is an appropriate initial action for a person who is at low acute risk for suicide?
    A) Treat presenting problems
    B) Refer to behavioral health provider for complete evaluation and interventions
    C) Immediate transfer with escort to urgent/emergency care setting for hospitalization
    D) Maintain direct observational control of the patient

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    20 . Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by effective suicide prevention programs?
    A) Definition of the desired outcomes
    B) Clear identification of the intended population
    C) Use of interventions known to effect a particular outcome
    D) Acting independently to eliminate the need for coordination

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