Take the Test

1. Which statement is an inappropriate way to explain suicide?

• a. “He committed suicide.”
• b. “He lost his life to suicide.”
• c. “She has suicidal thoughts.”
• d. “She survived a suicide attempt.”

2. Which statement is correct regarding beliefs about suicide?

• a. Attempting suicide is a way to manipulate people.
• b. Once a person decides to die by suicide, it cannot be prevented.
• c. One in five people have thought about suicide at some time in their life.
• d. Only people who have a mental disorder have suicidal thoughts.

3. Which statement is true regarding the prevalence of suicide in the United States?

• a. The highest rate of suicide is among men ages 65 and older.
• b. Suicide rates are higher among women than among men.
• c. The highest rate of suicide is among Native Americans.
• d. The lowest rate of suicide is among adult white males.

4. Which characteristic is an external/environmental protective factor for suicide?

• a. Good impulse control
• b. Strong sense of cultural identity
• c. Strong relationships
• d. Strong problem-solving skills

5. Which statement describes the Joint Commission recommendation for suicide screening?

• a. For adolescent patients in primary care settings
• b. For adult patients in acute care settings
• c. For older adult patients in primary care settings
• d. For all individuals ages 12 and over in all medical settings

6. Which action is considered the “gold standard” for suicide assessment and intervention?

• a. Reviewing the patient’s history of mental disorders
• b. Conducting a clinical interview
• c. Administering the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)
• d. Screening with the Scale for Suicide Ideation-Worst (SSI-W)

7. A patient having thoughts of death, no plan for suicide, and no history of suicidal behavior would be categorized at which risk level?

• a. High
• b. Moderate
• c. Low
• d. None

8. Which statement is correct about a suicide safety plan?

• a. It assesses the likelihood that the patient is going to attempt suicide.
• b. It is written by the healthcare provider.
• c. It determines which risk category the patient falls within.
• d. It is collaboratively written in the patient’s own words.

9. Which level of observation would be prescribed for a patient who is a high risk for a self-aggressive act?

• a. General observation
• b. Intermittent observation
• c. Within sight 24 hours a day
• d. Within reach of a clinician at all times, including when in the bathroom

10. Which type of cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on current situations and solutions and is used for individuals with severe and persistent suicidality?

• a. Dialectical behavior therapy
• b. Non-demand caring contact
• c. Interpersonal therapy
• d. Problem-solving therapy

11. Which suicide prevention strategy teaches people to identify those who are showing warning signs of suicide risks?

• a. Crisis intervention programs
• b. Peer norm groups
• c. Gatekeeper training
• d. Social-emotional learning programs

12. Which statement is correct about the ethical issues involved in suicide prevention?

• a. The patient’s right to self-determination is not affected by suicide interventions.
• b. Involuntary hospitalization of a suicidal patient does not increase risk of suicide post discharge.
• c. Involuntary hospitalization conflicts with the principle of autonomy.
• d. There are no potential harms inherent in civil commitment.