Suicidology: high-risk period: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Suicidology: high-risk period

Sample item

The period of highest suicide risk for a patient with depression admitted after a suicide attempt is:

AThe first weeks after dischargeBOnly during maniaCDuring the first week of admission under observationDFive years after recovery

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. The first weeks after discharge

Risk is highest in the days to weeks following discharge from psychiatric admission, when supervision falls and symptoms may persist. Follow-up within a week and a written safety plan are recommended.

Option by option

A. The first weeks after discharge (correct)
Correct. The post-discharge period carries the highest risk.
B. Only during mania
Risk exists in several mood states.
C. During the first week of admission under observation
Inpatient observation reduces risk.
D. Five years after recovery
Risk declines with sustained recovery.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, The first weeks after discharge. Risk is highest in the days to weeks following discharge from psychiatric admission, when supervision falls and symptoms may persist.

Why is "Only during mania" not the answer?

Risk exists in several mood states.

Why is "During the first week of admission under observation" not the answer?

Inpatient observation reduces risk.

Why is "Five years after recovery" not the answer?

Risk declines with sustained recovery.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Suicidology: high-risk period in Psychiatry. Follow-up within a week and a written safety plan are recommended.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Suicidology: high-risk period?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.