MH709 STUDY GUIDE WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION
What is the difference between PMHNPs screening of versus assessment of
suicide? - ANSWER Screening will identify if there is an issue that needs
further assessment, whereas assessment helps to determine the actual level
of risk.
Which is the MOST important in the PMHNP assessment of suicide risk
factors? - ANSWER Clinical judgement.
How are chronic suicidal risk factors different than acute suicide risk factors?
- ANSWER Chronic factors are unchangeable and non-modifiable.
What are five examples of chronic suicide risk factors? - ANSWER History of
psychiatric illness; Substance abuse (etoh=10x greater risk, IV drug use=14x
greater risk); Age; Gender (men =4x greater risk); Chronic medical condition
or pain; Single/unmarried; Family history of suicide; History of psychiatric
hospitalizations; History of child abuse.
Which is the MOST potent chronic risk factor for suicide? - ANSWER Previous
suicide attempt. The more lethal the past attempt, the greater the risk.
What are five examples of suicide mitigating factors? - ANSWER No recent
history of suicide attempts; Good social supports/married; No substance
abuse; No weapons in the home; Willing & motivated to engaged in
treatment; Non-psychotic; Able to state reasons for living; Employment; Faith
beliefs against suicide.
Should the PMHNP quantify risk of suicide through the use of assessment
, tools alone? - ANSWER No. Assessment tools can be used as one measure in
addition to clinical judgment. Suicide risk is difficult to quantify and suicides
are difficult to predict with accuracy.
What are the two areas of focus for the PMHNP to determine level of suicide
risk? - ANSWER SDI: Suicidal Desire and Ideation (reasons for living, lack of
deterrents to attempt), and RPP: Resolved Plans and Preparation (availability
of means, specificity of plans).
A patient with a history of multiple suicide attempts would be considered
what level of risk? - ANSWER Chronic high risk.
What are three factors that create an "acute" risk of suicide? - ANSWER
Presence of a crisis; Significant life stressors; Increased symptomatology.
What steps would the PMHNP take next if a patient has been determined to
have a severe suicide risk? - ANSWER Immediate hospitalization, involve
family and possibly law enforcement.
How often should the PMHNP assess suicide risk? - ANSWER Every visit.
What steps could the PMHNP take if a patient has been determined to have a
moderate suicide risk? - ANSWER Increased frequency of visits; Create a crisis
plan; Provide 24 hour crisis service availability.
How effective are "no harm contracts" in reducing suicide? - ANSWER Not
effective.
What are three facets of a suicide crisis response plan? - ANSWER Concrete &
specific; Collaborative; Documented.
Which factor is important in the assessment of homicide risk? - ANSWER Is
the patient's judgement impaired by the presence of psychiatric illness
(knowing the difference between right and wrong) versus poor coping (law
COMPLETE SOLUTION
What is the difference between PMHNPs screening of versus assessment of
suicide? - ANSWER Screening will identify if there is an issue that needs
further assessment, whereas assessment helps to determine the actual level
of risk.
Which is the MOST important in the PMHNP assessment of suicide risk
factors? - ANSWER Clinical judgement.
How are chronic suicidal risk factors different than acute suicide risk factors?
- ANSWER Chronic factors are unchangeable and non-modifiable.
What are five examples of chronic suicide risk factors? - ANSWER History of
psychiatric illness; Substance abuse (etoh=10x greater risk, IV drug use=14x
greater risk); Age; Gender (men =4x greater risk); Chronic medical condition
or pain; Single/unmarried; Family history of suicide; History of psychiatric
hospitalizations; History of child abuse.
Which is the MOST potent chronic risk factor for suicide? - ANSWER Previous
suicide attempt. The more lethal the past attempt, the greater the risk.
What are five examples of suicide mitigating factors? - ANSWER No recent
history of suicide attempts; Good social supports/married; No substance
abuse; No weapons in the home; Willing & motivated to engaged in
treatment; Non-psychotic; Able to state reasons for living; Employment; Faith
beliefs against suicide.
Should the PMHNP quantify risk of suicide through the use of assessment
, tools alone? - ANSWER No. Assessment tools can be used as one measure in
addition to clinical judgment. Suicide risk is difficult to quantify and suicides
are difficult to predict with accuracy.
What are the two areas of focus for the PMHNP to determine level of suicide
risk? - ANSWER SDI: Suicidal Desire and Ideation (reasons for living, lack of
deterrents to attempt), and RPP: Resolved Plans and Preparation (availability
of means, specificity of plans).
A patient with a history of multiple suicide attempts would be considered
what level of risk? - ANSWER Chronic high risk.
What are three factors that create an "acute" risk of suicide? - ANSWER
Presence of a crisis; Significant life stressors; Increased symptomatology.
What steps would the PMHNP take next if a patient has been determined to
have a severe suicide risk? - ANSWER Immediate hospitalization, involve
family and possibly law enforcement.
How often should the PMHNP assess suicide risk? - ANSWER Every visit.
What steps could the PMHNP take if a patient has been determined to have a
moderate suicide risk? - ANSWER Increased frequency of visits; Create a crisis
plan; Provide 24 hour crisis service availability.
How effective are "no harm contracts" in reducing suicide? - ANSWER Not
effective.
What are three facets of a suicide crisis response plan? - ANSWER Concrete &
specific; Collaborative; Documented.
Which factor is important in the assessment of homicide risk? - ANSWER Is
the patient's judgement impaired by the presence of psychiatric illness
(knowing the difference between right and wrong) versus poor coping (law
