What is the clinician's first step when a client expresses imminent danger to self or others?

• A. Discharge the client from services
• B. Contact emergency services after a wait
• C. Conduct a risk assessment and ensure safety
• D. Ignore the threat if no plan is stated

Answer: (C)

When a client expresses imminent danger, the clinician’s first action is to assess risk and put safety measures in place. This involves quickly evaluating the seriousness of the threat by clarifying the person’s intent, the presence of a concrete plan, access to means, and the timeframe. A structured risk assessment helps determine how urgent the danger is and what level of intervention is required.

From there, the clinician implements immediate safety steps to reduce risk. This can include creating a safety plan with the client, involving supportive contacts if appropriate, removing access to means that could be used to carry out the threat, and utilizing crisis resources or emergency services if the situation is high risk. Depending on the assessment, involuntary hospitalization or other legal/agency procedures may be necessary to keep the client and others safe.

Discharging the client, delaying action for a later time, or ignoring the threat are incompatible with ethical practice and public safety. Those options fail to address the immediate risk and could lead to serious harm.