AAS Clinical Practice & Treatment Planning 2

Question 1

A client with borderline personality disorder presents with chronic suicidal ideation and a recent superficial cut. What is the most appropriate first step in treatment planning?

Accepted Answer

Conduct a thorough risk assessment differentiating chronic from acute risk

Answer

Distinguishing chronic baseline suicidality from acute elevations is essential before deciding on the level of care for BPD clients.

Question 2

Which therapeutic modality has the strongest evidence base for reducing suicidal behavior in individuals with borderline personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Answer

DBT was specifically developed for BPD and has robust randomized controlled trial evidence for reducing suicidal acts and self-harm.

Question 3

During a safety planning session, a clinician asks the client to list reasons for living. This technique draws primarily from which theoretical framework?

Accepted Answer

Motivational interviewing and hope-based approaches

Answer

Eliciting reasons for living is a core motivational and hope-based technique that taps into the client's own ambivalence about dying.

Question 4

A safety plan differs from a no-suicide contract primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Is collaborative, actionable, and focuses on coping steps rather than a promise not to act

Answer

Safety plans are collaborative, step-by-step coping tools; no-suicide contracts are promises that lack evidence of effectiveness and can create false security.

Question 5

When treating a suicidal client who is also experiencing active psychosis, which intervention priority is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Address psychotic symptoms medically while concurrently assessing suicide risk

Answer

Psychosis significantly elevates suicide risk, so stabilizing psychotic symptoms medically while continuously monitoring suicidality is the safest approach.

(AAS) American Association of Suicidology Certification Practice Test

(AAS) American Association of Suicidology Certification Practice Test

AAS Clinical Practice & Treatment Planning 2