Which term would be assessed by asking direct questions about plans for self-harm?

• A. Suicidal ideation
• B. Suicide risk assessment
• C. Mood
• D. Broca aphasia

Answer: (B)

Direct questions about plans for self-harm are used to gauge how dangerous a patient might be at the moment, which is the main aim of a suicide risk assessment. While suicidal ideation refers to thoughts of harming oneself, asking about a concrete plan, timing, and means moves beyond just thinking and into evaluating immediacy and severity of risk. Mood describes overall emotional state and isn’t themselves a measure of imminent danger, and Broca aphasia is a language impairment unrelated to suicidality assessment. So the act of querying plans for self-harm best maps to performing a suicide risk assessment.