Which aspect is included in the safety domain of the Mental Status Exam?

• A. Risk of harm to self or others
• B. Blood pressure
• C. Body mass index
• D. Creatinine clearance

Answer: (A)

Assessing safety in the mental status exam means checking for risk of harm to self or others and whether the person can stay safe in their environment. This includes asking about suicidal or homicidal thoughts, plans, access to means, history of self-harm, impulsivity, and the presence of protective factors or supports. These questions guide urgent decisions about needed supervision, hospitalization, or safety planning.

The other options are medical measurements (blood pressure, body mass index, creatinine clearance). They reflect physical health status and medical risk, not the safety concerns addressed in the psychiatric safety domain of the mental status exam.