Suicide risk assessment — MCQs
A 27-year-old woman presents with amenorrhea, weight loss, and excessive exercise. Her BMI is 16 kg/m². She has bradycardia and hypotension. What is the most serious immediate risk?
A 31-year-old woman presents with amenorrhea, weight loss, and lanugo hair. Her BMI is 15 kg/m². She denies having an eating disorder. What is the most serious immediate risk?
A 67-year-old man presents with confusion and agitation 2 days after hip replacement surgery. He sees insects crawling on the walls and is oriented only to person. His medication includes morphine PCA. Vital signs are stable. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Which of the following best describes the principle of 'best interests' under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 when making decisions for a person who lacks capacity?
A 25-year-old man is assessed following discharge from a psychiatric ward where he was treated for a first episode of psychosis. He describes hearing voices telling him he is worthless and should kill himself. He states he doesn't believe the voices but finds them distressing. He has good insight into his illness, is adherent to medication, and has strong family support. He denies any suicidal ideation or intent. What is the most appropriate risk classification?
A 57-year-old woman with no significant past medical history is diagnosed with motor neurone disease. She has full cognitive capacity and, after detailed discussion with neurology, wishes to make an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) to refuse ventilation if she develops respiratory failure. Which of the following statements regarding her ADRT is correct?
During a suicide risk assessment, a 48-year-old man with recurrent depression describes detailed plans to end his life by carbon monoxide poisoning in his garage. He has purchased necessary items and set a date for next week. However, he states he will delay this if his daughter visits from abroad as planned in 10 days. Which of the following best describes the significance of this conditional delay?
A 66-year-old man with frontotemporal dementia presents with disinhibited behaviour and poor judgment. His family reports he has been making unusual financial decisions, including giving away large sums of money to strangers. A capacity assessment for financial decisions is requested. He insists he has 'plenty of money' and can do what he likes. Which component of the Mental Capacity Act functional test is he most clearly failing?
A 34-year-old woman with severe depression is reviewed in the psychiatric ward following admission after a near-fatal hanging attempt. She has been treated with ECT and shows significant improvement in mood. She now expresses embarrassment about the attempt and states she wants to 'move forward with her life'. She is requesting discharge. Which aspect of her presentation requires most careful evaluation before considering discharge?
A 73-year-old man with a 2-year history of vascular dementia (MMSE 19/30) requires urgent coronary artery bypass grafting following an acute coronary syndrome. During capacity assessment, he understands he has a heart problem and needs surgery. He can describe the procedure and states 'I might die but I'll definitely die without it'. However, he then asks 'When did you say my wife is picking me up?' (she died 2 years ago). What is the most appropriate approach?
Suicide risk assessment UK Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 1: A 27-year-old woman presents with amenorrhea, weight loss, and excessive exercise. Her BMI is 16 kg/m². She has bradycardia and hypotension. What is the most serious immediate risk?
- A. Osteoporosis
- B. Cardiac arrhythmias (Correct Answer)
- C. Renal failure
- D. Hypothermia
- E. Electrolyte imbalance
Explanation: ***Cardiac arrhythmias*** - The profound state of starvation, signaled by severe **bradycardia** and **hypotension**, places the patient at high immediate risk for sudden cardiac death due to fatal dysrhythmias (e.g., **Torsades de Pointes**). - Chronic malnutrition causes **myocardial atrophy** and increased susceptibility to electrical instability, often compounded by underlying electrolyte defects. *Osteoporosis* - This is a significant **long-term complication** of anorexia nervosa resulting from chronic **hypoestrogenism** and malnutrition, not the most serious immediate life threat. - While important for long-term morbidity, bone demineralization does not contribute to the acute risk of sudden death seen with cardiac compromise. *Renal failure* - **Acute kidney injury** (AKI) resulting from severe dehydration and prerenal failure can occur, but it is typically not the first or most immediate cause of sudden mortality in acute severe anorexia. - Hypoperfusion due to hypotension, while present, does not pose as immediate a fatal threat as underlying **myocardial compromise**. *Hypothermia* - Severe underweight and compromised thermoregulation lead to **hypothermia**, especially in restrictive anorexia. - Although concerning and requiring intensive care, hypothermia is typically less frequently the direct and immediate cause of sudden mortality compared to cardiac electrical instability. *Electrolyte imbalance* - Although crucial, electrolyte imbalances (especially **hypokalemia** and **hypophosphatemia** during refeeding) are primarily the **causes** or contributing factors. - **Cardiac arrhythmias** are the ultimate *outcome* of these imbalances, representing the most serious and immediate threat to life.
Question 2: A 31-year-old woman presents with amenorrhea, weight loss, and lanugo hair. Her BMI is 15 kg/m². She denies having an eating disorder. What is the most serious immediate risk?
- A. Osteoporosis
- B. Cardiac arrhythmias (Correct Answer)
- C. Renal failure
- D. Hypothermia
- E. Infection
Explanation: ***Cardiac arrhythmias***- A BMI of 15 kg/m² indicates severe underweight, which, combined with amenorrhea and lanugo, strongly suggests severe anorexia nervosa. This condition leads to severe electrolyte imbalances (e.g., **hypokalemia**, **hypomagnesemia**) and cardiac muscle atrophy, increasing the risk of life-threatening **cardiac arrhythmias**.- **Cardiac arrhythmias** are the leading cause of sudden death in patients with severe anorexia nervosa, making them the most serious *immediate* risk due to acute electrolyte shifts and myocardial changes.*Osteoporosis*- While **osteoporosis** is a common long-term complication of chronic malnutrition and estrogen deficiency associated with amenorrhea, it is not an *immediate* life-threatening risk.- Bone density loss develops over months to years, unlike the acute and potentially fatal cardiac events caused by electrolyte disturbances.*Renal failure*- Although severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can impact renal function, **acute renal failure** is not typically the *most immediate and serious* life-threatening complication of severe anorexia nervosa compared to cardiac issues.- While possible, this presentation doesn't strongly point to acute severe kidney injury as the primary immediate threat to life.*Hypothermia*- Individuals with severe underweight and low body fat are prone to **hypothermia** due to impaired thermoregulation.- However, hypothermia is generally not considered the *most immediate and serious* life-threatening risk compared to sudden cardiac events caused by severe electrolyte derangements.*Infection*- Malnutrition can lead to **immunodeficiency**, increasing susceptibility to infections.- However, **infection** is typically a more chronic or opportunistic risk rather than the *most immediate and serious* life-threatening concern in the acute presentation of severe underweight, where cardiac instability is paramount.
Question 3: A 67-year-old man presents with confusion and agitation 2 days after hip replacement surgery. He sees insects crawling on the walls and is oriented only to person. His medication includes morphine PCA. Vital signs are stable. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Alcohol withdrawal
- B. Postoperative delirium (Correct Answer)
- C. Dementia
- D. Sepsis
- E. Fat embolism
Explanation: ***Postoperative delirium***- This is the most likely diagnosis, characterized by the **acute onset** of fluctuating awareness, agitation, and cognitive disturbances (like **visual hallucinations**), common in elderly patients after major surgery (e.g., hip replacement).- Risk factors include advanced age, the stress of surgery, and use of certain medications like **opioid analgesics** (morphine PCA), all present in this case.*Alcohol withdrawal*- Symptoms usually include significant **autonomic hyperactivity** (tremors, tachycardia, sweating) before progressing to hallucinations (**delirium tremens**), which are not noted here given stable vital signs.- While alcohol withdrawal can cause hallucinations, in an elderly patient 2 days post-op, **postoperative delirium** is the primary differential unless a clear history of heavy alcohol use and abrupt cessation is known.*Dementia*- Dementia is a chronic, gradual decline in cognitive function, whereas this patient exhibits an **acute change** in mental status (confusion and agitation) occurring specifically after a precipitating event (surgery).- This condition often represents an **acute encephalopathy** superimposed on an underlying risk factor (age), distinguishable from the long-term deterioration seen in dementia.*Sepsis*- Sepsis-induced encephalopathy usually presents alongside systemic signs of infection, such as **fever**, leukocytosis, or **hemodynamic instability** (hypotension/tachycardia).- The patient's stable vital signs make severe systemic infection or sepsis an **unlikely primary cause** of the acute mental status change.*Fat embolism*- Fat embolism syndrome classically involves a triad of symptoms: **respiratory distress**, **petechial rash**, and cerebral dysfunction (confusion, disorientation).- Although cerebral symptoms occur within 12–72 hours post-surgery, the lack of significant respiratory symptoms or unstable vital signs suggests that delirium is the more probable and common postoperative complication.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the principle of 'best interests' under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 when making decisions for a person who lacks capacity?
- A. The decision that the healthcare professional believes is medically optimal
- B. The decision that the patient's family unanimously agrees upon
- C. The decision must consider the person's past and present wishes, feelings, beliefs and values, alongside other relevant factors (Correct Answer)
- D. The decision that involves the least restrictive option in all circumstances
- E. The decision that is most cost-effective for healthcare services
Explanation: ***The decision must consider the person's past and present wishes, feelings, beliefs and values, alongside other relevant factors*** - Under **Section 4 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005**, a best interests decision is a holistic process that prioritizes the individual's **wishes, feelings, and core values**. - It requires consultation with **family and carers** to determine what the person would have wanted, ensuring the decision is **person-centered** rather than purely paternalistic. *The decision that the healthcare professional believes is medically optimal* - While **clinical judgment** is a factor, it is not the sole determinant, as the focus must include **non-medical factors** like social and psychological well-being. - Purely **medical optimality** may conflict with a patient's known personal or religious beliefs, which the law requires us to respect. *The decision that the patient's family unanimously agrees upon* - Family members must be **consulted**, but their views act as evidence of the patient's preferences rather than a **final veto** or mandate. - The decision-maker (usually the clinician) must act in the **patient's best interests**, which may occasionally differ from the family's consensus. *The decision that involves the least restrictive option in all circumstances* - The **'least restrictive' principle** is a separate core component of the MCA, focusing on minimizing limitations on the person's **rights and freedom**. - Although relevant, the least restrictive choice is not technically the definition of **'best interests'** and might not always provide the necessary benefit for the patient. *The decision that is most cost-effective for healthcare services* - Best interests decisions are centered on the **individual's welfare** and prospective choices, not on **resource allocation** or service costs. - Prioritizing **cost-effectiveness** over the patient's known values would be a violation of the **statutory principles** of the Mental Capacity Act.
Question 5: A 25-year-old man is assessed following discharge from a psychiatric ward where he was treated for a first episode of psychosis. He describes hearing voices telling him he is worthless and should kill himself. He states he doesn't believe the voices but finds them distressing. He has good insight into his illness, is adherent to medication, and has strong family support. He denies any suicidal ideation or intent. What is the most appropriate risk classification?
- A. Low risk - he has insight and denies suicidal intent
- B. Low-moderate risk - command hallucinations are present but other protective factors exist (Correct Answer)
- C. Moderate risk - command hallucinations require intensive monitoring
- D. Moderate-high risk - first episode psychosis carries inherently high suicide risk
- E. High risk - command hallucinations to self-harm require immediate hospitalization
Explanation: ***Low-moderate risk - command hallucinations are present but other protective factors exist***- The presence of **command hallucinations** advocating for self-harm is a significant risk factor that precludes a simple 'low risk' classification.- The risk is mitigated to low-moderate because the patient lacks **suicidal intent**, maintains **good insight**, is **medication adherent**, and has strong **social support**.*Low risk - he has insight and denies suicidal intent*- While these are strong **protective factors**, the presence of active **command hallucinations** with self-destructive content increases risk beyond the base level.- True low risk typically implies an absence of both intent and specific **psychotic symptoms** suggesting harm.*Moderate risk - command hallucinations require intensive monitoring*- A moderate classification usually implies more **fluidity in risk** or a lack of robust protective factors like the ones present here.- Because the patient does **not believe the voices** and has significant family support, the risk is not yet considered moderate.*Moderate-high risk - first episode psychosis carries inherently high suicide risk*- Although **first-episode psychosis** is an established risk period for suicide, risk must be individualized based on **current clinical presentation**.- This label ignores the extensive list of **protective factors** and the patient’s active denial of intent and ideation.*High risk - command hallucinations to self-harm require immediate hospitalization*- **Hospitalization** is disproportionate because the patient is stable, adherent to treatment, and has no immediate **plan or intent** to act.- High risk is reserved for those with imminent **suicidal intent**, preparations for harm, or lack of **insight** into their hallucinations.
Question 6: A 57-year-old woman with no significant past medical history is diagnosed with motor neurone disease. She has full cognitive capacity and, after detailed discussion with neurology, wishes to make an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) to refuse ventilation if she develops respiratory failure. Which of the following statements regarding her ADRT is correct?
- A. An ADRT for refusing life-sustaining treatment must be verified by two independent doctors
- B. An ADRT is only valid if the patient currently lacks capacity
- C. An ADRT for refusing life-sustaining treatment must be in writing, signed, and witnessed (Correct Answer)
- D. An ADRT cannot refuse treatment that would be given under the Mental Health Act
- E. An ADRT automatically becomes invalid if the patient is subsequently detained under the Mental Health Act
Explanation: ***An ADRT for refusing life-sustaining treatment must be in writing, signed, and witnessed*** - Under the **Mental Capacity Act 2005**, an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) concerning **life-sustaining treatment** must be **in writing**, **signed** by the patient (or by another person in their presence and at their direction), and **witnessed** by another person. - It must also include a specific **written statement** confirming that the decision applies even if **life is at risk** as a result of the refusal. *An ADRT for refusing life-sustaining treatment must be verified by two independent doctors* - There is **no legal requirement** for doctors to verify or sign an ADRT; its validity is based on the patient's capacity at the time of making it and adherence to formal requirements. - While medical consultation is recommended for clarity, the **legal validity** is determined by statutory criteria, not by medical signatures. *An ADRT is only valid if the patient currently lacks capacity* - This statement is incorrect; an ADRT is **made** while the patient has **full capacity** to anticipate and refuse future treatment decisions. - An ADRT only **comes into effect** (becomes applicable) if the patient subsequently **loses capacity** to make the specific decision at the relevant time; if they have capacity, their contemporaneous decision prevails. *An ADRT cannot refuse treatment that would be given under the Mental Health Act* - An ADRT is generally effective in refusing treatment for **physical health conditions**, such as ventilation for Motor Neurone Disease, which is the patient's stated wish. - While an ADRT cannot refuse **treatment for a mental disorder** that is given under the **Mental Health Act 1983**, it can refuse physical treatments not directly related to a mental disorder or given under the MHA. *An ADRT automatically becomes invalid if the patient is subsequently detained under the Mental Health Act* - Detention under the **Mental Health Act** does not automatically invalidate an ADRT; the ADRT remains legally valid but may be overridden specifically regarding **treatment for a mental disorder**. - For patients with **Motor Neurone Disease**, an ADRT refusing ventilation would typically remain legally binding as it pertains to a **physical illness** and not a treatment for a mental disorder under the MHA.
Question 7: During a suicide risk assessment, a 48-year-old man with recurrent depression describes detailed plans to end his life by carbon monoxide poisoning in his garage. He has purchased necessary items and set a date for next week. However, he states he will delay this if his daughter visits from abroad as planned in 10 days. Which of the following best describes the significance of this conditional delay?
- A. It indicates low suicide risk as he is making future plans
- B. It represents a protective factor but does not significantly reduce imminent risk (Correct Answer)
- C. It suggests he is seeking attention rather than genuinely suicidal
- D. It indicates ambivalence and opportunity for therapeutic intervention
- E. It negates the significance of his detailed planning
Explanation: ***It represents a protective factor but does not significantly reduce imminent risk*** - The patient has a **highly lethal plan**, has **purchased necessary items**, and set a **specific date**, all indicating **imminent risk** for suicide. - While his daughter's visit is a **protective factor** by providing a reason to delay, it is **conditional** and short-term, not fundamentally reducing the high-risk level. *It indicates low suicide risk as he is making future plans* - The future plan is **conditional** and **temporary**, specifically stating he would delay for 10 days, which does not negate the present **high imminence** and **lethality** of his existing plan. - Making a conditional future plan in the context of advanced suicide preparation does not lower the overall **acute risk** assessment. *It suggests he is seeking attention rather than genuinely suicidal* - This interpretation is clinically dangerous; **detailed planning**, **acquisition of means**, and setting a **specific date** are strong indicators of **genuine suicidal intent** and high risk, not attention-seeking. - Dismissing such clear indicators of intent can lead to a failure in providing appropriate life-saving intervention. *It indicates ambivalence and opportunity for therapeutic intervention* - While **ambivalence** is present, the **immediacy** and **lethality** of his plan (set for next week) mean the priority is **immediate safety and crisis intervention**, potentially inpatient hospitalization. - Standard therapeutic intervention is appropriate for long-term management but not sufficient for the **acute high risk** presented here. *It negates the significance of his detailed planning* - A **single protective factor**, especially one that is conditional and temporary, does not **negate** the combined significance of **detailed planning**, **means acquisition**, and a **set timeline** for suicide. - Suicide risk assessment requires considering the aggregation of both risk and protective factors, with high-lethality plans always taking precedence in determining **imminent risk**.
Question 8: A 66-year-old man with frontotemporal dementia presents with disinhibited behaviour and poor judgment. His family reports he has been making unusual financial decisions, including giving away large sums of money to strangers. A capacity assessment for financial decisions is requested. He insists he has 'plenty of money' and can do what he likes. Which component of the Mental Capacity Act functional test is he most clearly failing?
- A. Understanding information relevant to the decision
- B. Retaining the information
- C. Using or weighing the information as part of decision-making (Correct Answer)
- D. Communicating his decision
- E. Appreciating the consequences of his decisions
Explanation: ***Using or weighing the information as part of decision-making*** - Patients with **frontotemporal dementia** often have executive impairment, making it difficult to balance competing factors, such as personal financial needs versus impulsive altruism. - By stating he has "plenty of money" despite his actions, he is failing to **weigh the impact** of his spending on his future security or his family's welfare. *Understanding information relevant to the decision* - The patient may still grasp the **basic facts** of the transaction, such as the specific amount of money being given away. - This component is usually intact in early **social-variant dementia** where the problem lies in the application of logic rather than comprehension. *Retaining the information* - Memory is often **relatively preserved** in the early stages of **frontotemporal dementia** compared to Alzheimer’s disease. - His ability to state his stance suggests he can **hold the information** in mind long enough to form a response about his finances. *Communicating his decision* - This component is satisfied if the patient can **express their choice** through any medium, including verbal speech, which he clearly does here. - A failure in communication usually involves conditions like **severe aphasia** or a conscious state where no output is possible. *Appreciating the consequences of his decisions* - While it sounds relevant, "appreciating consequences" is clinically considered part of the **'using and weighing'** stage within the formal **Mental Capacity Act (MCA)** framework. - This option is technically a subset of the **use or weigh** criteria rather than a distinct fourth limb of the functional test.
Question 9: A 34-year-old woman with severe depression is reviewed in the psychiatric ward following admission after a near-fatal hanging attempt. She has been treated with ECT and shows significant improvement in mood. She now expresses embarrassment about the attempt and states she wants to 'move forward with her life'. She is requesting discharge. Which aspect of her presentation requires most careful evaluation before considering discharge?
- A. The lethality of her previous suicide attempt method
- B. Her current expressed embarrassment about the attempt
- C. The rapidity of her mood improvement following ECT (Correct Answer)
- D. Her stated desire to move forward with her life
- E. The severity of her depression at the time of admission
Explanation: ***The rapidity of her mood improvement following ECT*** - A sudden and dramatic improvement in mood and energy, especially after a **high-lethality suicide attempt**, can paradoxically increase the immediate risk of suicide. The patient may regain the **physical and cognitive capacity** to act on persistent suicidal ideation. - This phenomenon requires careful evaluation for **"terminal concealment"**, where a patient might present as recovered to facilitate discharge, intending to complete a suicide plan. *The lethality of her previous suicide attempt method* - While a **high-lethality attempt** is a significant historical risk factor for future suicide completion, it is a static characteristic of the past event, not a dynamic factor requiring the most careful *current* evaluation for discharge. - Clinical focus for discharge decisions prioritizes the patient's **current mental state**, stability, and ongoing risk factors, rather than merely the lethality of a past act. *Her current expressed embarrassment about the attempt* - Expressing **embarrassment or guilt** over a suicide attempt is a common emotional response but does not necessarily indicate a resolution of suicidal intent or genuine improvement. - Such statements can be a **socially desirable response** or part of a calculated effort to convey recovery and secure discharge, potentially masking persistent underlying distress. *Her stated desire to move forward with her life* - A patient's verbalized desire to **"move forward"** is a positive sign but must be validated by consistent behavioral changes, sustained mood stability, and objective clinical observations. - Relying solely on such statements without thorough assessment of underlying ideation and risk factors can be misleading, as they may not reflect a true or stable shift in **suicidal ideation**. *The severity of her depression at the time of admission* - The **initial severity of depression** provides context for the illness and treatment needs but is not the most critical factor for *current* discharge evaluation. - The primary concern for discharge is the patient's **current symptomatic state**, the stability of their improvement, the presence of residual symptoms, and any ongoing dynamic risk factors.
Question 10: A 73-year-old man with a 2-year history of vascular dementia (MMSE 19/30) requires urgent coronary artery bypass grafting following an acute coronary syndrome. During capacity assessment, he understands he has a heart problem and needs surgery. He can describe the procedure and states 'I might die but I'll definitely die without it'. However, he then asks 'When did you say my wife is picking me up?' (she died 2 years ago). What is the most appropriate approach?
- A. He lacks capacity due to inability to retain his wife's death
- B. He has capacity as he demonstrates understanding and weighing of this specific decision (Correct Answer)
- C. He lacks capacity because his MMSE score indicates significant impairment
- D. Defer surgery until cognitive function improves
- E. He has capacity because he agrees with medical recommendations
Explanation: ***He has capacity as he demonstrates understanding and weighing of this specific decision***- Capacity is **decision-specific**; the patient demonstrates the ability to **understand**, **retain**, and **weigh** the information regarding his surgery and the risks of refusal.- Under the **Mental Capacity Act**, a diagnosis of dementia or memory deficits regarding unrelated topics (like his wife's death) does not automatically mean he lacks capacity for a surgical decision.*He lacks capacity due to inability to retain his wife's death*- Memory impairment regarding personal history is an **unrelated cognitive deficit** that does not interfere with the functional test for this specific medical decision.- To lack capacity, the inability to retain information must specifically involve the **relevant information** for the decision at hand, which is the surgery.*He lacks capacity because his MMSE score indicates significant impairment*- An **MMSE score** is a screening tool for cognitive impairment but is not a legal or clinical determinant of **functional capacity**.- Capacity must be assessed based on the patient's performance for a specific decision, regardless of the severity of their **baseline cognitive scores**.*Defer surgery until cognitive function improves*- Deferring **urgent CABG** in the setting of acute coronary syndrome poses a life-threatening risk and is clinically inappropriate.- In patients with **vascular dementia**, cognitive function is unlikely to improve significantly in the short term, making delay futile and dangerous.*He has capacity because he agrees with medical recommendations*- Capacity assessment must focus on the **process of reasoning**, not whether the patient's choice aligns with the doctor's preference.- Agreement with a recommendation is not evidence of capacity, just as making an **unwise decision** is not evidence of a lack of capacity.
Want unlimited practice?
Get full access to all questions, explanations, and performance tracking.
Start For Free