Practice Question
A score of 1 to 10 on the Global Assessment Functioning (GAF) scale would indicate that a client was at risk for:
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Correct Answer:
Hurting himself or others.
Rationale:
📉 A Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score between 1 and 10 reflects the most severe level of psychological disturbance, often associated with persistent danger to self or others, or an inability to maintain even minimal hygiene or communication.
📉 This score level is used for individuals who exhibit serious suicidal acts, frequent violent behavior, or gross impairment in communication (e.g., largely incoherent or mute).
📉 The GAF scale, although now replaced by the WHODAS 2.0 in DSM-5, was a standard measure to assess the client’s overall psychological, social, and occupational functioning on a scale from 0 to 100.
📉 A score of 1–10 is indicative of a psychiatric emergency, necessitating immediate and intensive intervention, often including hospitalization to prevent harm.
📉 Identifying such a low score signals the highest clinical urgency and alerts the mental health team to implement safety measures, monitor closely, and possibly initiate suicide precautions.
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This question is from LPN ATI Mental Health Psychosocial which contains 52 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: LPN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: LPN ATI Exams
- Domain: Mental Health
- Answer Choices: 4