In an adolescent with conduct disorder, which finding is the priority?

• A. Lack of empathy for others
• B. Repeated school absences
• C. Threats of injury to others
• D. History of shoplifting

Answer: (C)

The most urgent concern here is safety. Threats of injury to others signal potential imminent violence, which places people around the adolescent at real risk and requires immediate risk assessment and safety planning. This could involve notifying guardians, coordinating with school, and possibly crisis intervention or hospitalization if the threat is concrete or imminent. The other features—lack of empathy, repeated school absences, and a history of shoplifting—reflect conduct disorder and impairment, but they do not by themselves indicate an immediate danger to others, though they still warrant thorough evaluation and comprehensive treatment planning.