Question 1 5 / 5 pts
A suicide watch will often require the involvement of the client’s family.
True
False
Question 2 5 / 5 pts
No single instrument can accurately predict suicide risk without significant amount of error.
True
False
Question 3 5 / 5 pts
In assessing a client’s potential for suicide, which might not be a useful question?
“Do you think suicide is a weak or a strong act?”
“Do you know anybody who has killed themselves?”
“What does your family think?”
“What has stopped you?”
All of these are useful questions.
Question 4 5 / 5 pts
Hospitalization is never an effective treatment for high-risk suicidal clients.
True
False
Question 5 5 / 5 pts
Which is not a typical sign of a suicidal person?
Living alone and being isolated
Starting a new job
Giving things away
The recent death of a friend or relative
Question 6 5 / 5 pts
The possibility that a person thinking about suicide will kill himself or herself is quite low.
True
False
Question 7 5 / 5 pts
Reframing can be an effective tool to help low- and middle-risk suicidal teenage clients.
True
False
Question 8 5 / 5 pts
Monitoring of suicidality is not necessary if a client previously at risk no longer presents at risk.
True
False
Question 9
5 / 5 pts
Which is never a factor in assessing suicide risk?
Demographics
Family history
Biological factors (illness)
Economic status
All of the above are factors.
Question 10 5 / 5 pts
An individual who is at risk of harming others may
have poor impulse control.
feel humiliated or rejected by others.
believe that others wish to harm him or her.
Both A and C.
All of the above.
Question 11 5 / 5 pts
The Mental Status Exam assesses a person’s state of mind under which of the following
domains?
Appearance, speech, and appetite
Speech, thought content, and ability to sleep
Mood, behavior, and attitude
Attitude, perception, and sense of humor
Question 12
5 / 5 pts
A low-risk suicidal client might respond best to
reframing the situation.
a verbal no-suicide contract.
a suicide watch.
Both A & B.
Question 13 5 / 5 pts
If a person cannot look after their basic needs, such as food and water or keeping themselves
clean, they may need hospitalization.
True
False
Question 14 5 / 5 pts
In 2014, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the United States.
True
False
IncorrectQuestion 15
0 / 5 pts
The most common methods of nonsuicidal self-injury do not include
cutting oneself.
biting oneself.
pinching oneself.
picking at a wound.
Question 16
25 / 25 pts
Suppose you are faced with a terminally ill client who is in a great deal of pain. The client
indicates to you in a calm, reasonable way that she is going to drive out to an isolated spot in a
state park, drink a thermos of margaritas, put on her favorite CD, take out her 9 mm automatic,
get out of the car, go sit under her favorite tree, make an audio tape telling her family how much
she loves them and how she doesn't want to be a burden on them, and then kill herself.
Discuss the ethical, legal, and moral dilemmas you would be faced with in this situation.
Your Answer:
As a mental health professional, my duty is to protect my clients and ensure their safety. If a
client expresses a clear intent and plan to harm themselves, there is a duty to take reasonable
steps to prevent harm, which may involve breaking confidentiality to seek intervention. Because
the client has disclosed a specific plan for self-harm, which may require reporting to authorities
or involving emergency services (Kanel, 2019, CH 4c).
In some situations, I may have discussed the limits of confidentiality and informed the client that
I would need to take action if self-harm is disclosed. This ensures that the client is aware of my
obligations. The ethical principles of autonomy (client's choice) and beneficence (client's best
interest) may clash in situations where a client's judgment is compromised due to pain or a
terminal illness, making it difficult for them to make an informed decision about suicide while still
respecting their autonomy. Laws regarding involuntary hospitalization and intervention vary by
jurisdiction. I should be aware of the relevant legal requirements and consider involving law
enforcement or emergency services when necessary.
On a moral level, I may grapple with the conflicting values of preserving life and respecting a
client's autonomy. They may also have personal beliefs and values that influence their
decisions. In this situation, I should:
Engage in a thorough assessment to determine the client's mental state, capacity to make
decisions, and the seriousness of the threat.
Consult with colleagues or supervisors to ensure a well-informed decision.
Consider involving emergency services, crisis hotlines, or law enforcement to conduct a welfare
check and ensure the client's safety (Kanel, 2019).
Continue to provide emotional support and explore alternative coping strategies or interventions
for the client.
Ultimately, I must prioritize the client's safety while navigating the complex ethical, legal, and
moral considerations involved in this challenging situation. It is essential to consult with legal
and ethical guidelines and seek supervision or consultation when facing such dilemmas (Kanel,
2019).
References
Kanel, K. (2019). A Guide to Crisis Intervention. Cengage Learning Inc.
Good job thinking through such a difficult scenario. A few thoughts on this as it relates to the
specific dilemmas: Legally: you are required to call the authorities and get her to a hospital
immediately. The goal would be to get her to agree to go voluntarily with you. Ethically: the
question is whether or not you would tell her family and break confidentiality with them. Of
course, you have to break it with police and the hospital to get her into immediate care. Morally:
the issue is whether a woman in such terrible pain should be forced to live and suffer through it.
The “death with dignity” debate is a difficult one.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
