All terms
Suicide risk assessment
A sensitive, structured exploration of suicidal thoughts, plans, and protective factors, used to gauge immediate risk and decide on safe next steps.
Asking directly about suicidal thoughts does not increase risk; it is expected practice. A safe mental-health station depends on doing this clearly and compassionately.
More glossary terms
- ABCDE approachA systematic method for assessing and treating an acutely unwell patient — Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure — dealing with each before moving on.
- AMPLE historyA focused emergency history — Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last meal, Events — taken quickly in acute situations.
- ARCPThe annual assessment that decides whether a doctor in training has met the competencies to progress to the next stage.
- AVPU scaleA rapid way to grade consciousness — Alert, responds to Voice, responds to Pain, Unresponsive — used in initial assessment.
Put it into practice
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