PMHNP certification cheat sheet
Suicide risk: quick reference
The interview checklist, the high-risk factors, and the contents of a safety plan.
Reviewed by a licensed nurse · 2 November 2026
Interview checklist
- ·Ideation: frequency, duration, intensity.
- ·Intent: any wish or plan to act.
- ·Plan: method, time, rehearsal.
- ·Means: firearms, medications, other.
- ·History: prior attempts, self-harm, family history.
- ·Protective factors: reasons for living, supports, treatment engagement.
Higher-risk situations
| Situation | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Days to weeks after psychiatric discharge | Peak risk period |
| Newly started antidepressant in a young person | Monitor closely for new suicidal thinking |
| Intoxication | Lowers inhibition |
| Command hallucinations | Raise the risk of acting |
| Severe agitation or insomnia | Short-term predictors of an attempt |
Educational content for exam preparation. It is not clinical guidance and does not replace your facility's policies, current professional guidelines or the advice of a qualified clinician.
boardreadynurse.com · Columbia Lighthouse Project: C-SSRS