CAT CAT Crisis Intervention and Safety 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the FIRST step an addiction technician should take when a client appears to be in acute crisis?
- Immediately discharge the client from the program
- Ensure physical safety and contact a supervisor or licensed clinician (Correct answer)
- Administer medication from the supply cabinet
- Ask the client to leave and return when calmer
Correct answer: Ensure physical safety and contact a supervisor or licensed clinician
The first priority in any crisis is ensuring physical safety and escalating to clinical staff who can authorize further intervention.
Question 2: A client discloses they are thinking about suicide. Which response by the addiction technician is MOST appropriate?
- Tell the client that suicidal thoughts are normal and to try to ignore them
- Take the disclosure seriously, stay with the client, and notify a supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
- Ask the client to write their thoughts in a journal and discuss it next week
- Remind the client they signed a contract against self-harm
Correct answer: Take the disclosure seriously, stay with the client, and notify a supervisor immediately
Any suicidal disclosure must be taken seriously; the technician should not leave the client alone and must notify clinical supervision immediately.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a safety plan developed with an at-risk client?
- To legally protect the facility from lawsuits
- To give the client personalized steps and resources to use when in crisis (Correct answer)
- To document that the program is not responsible if harm occurs
- To replace outpatient therapy sessions
Correct answer: To give the client personalized steps and resources to use when in crisis
A safety plan empowers the client with individualized warning signs, coping strategies, and support contacts to use during a crisis.
Question 4: Which of the following is a warning sign of opioid overdose that an addiction technician should recognize?
- Increased alertness and rapid speech
- Unresponsiveness, slow or stopped breathing, and pinpoint pupils (Correct answer)
- Elevated mood and excessive energy
- Dilated pupils and rapid heart rate
Correct answer: Unresponsiveness, slow or stopped breathing, and pinpoint pupils
Opioid overdose presents with respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and constricted (pinpoint) pupils requiring immediate emergency response.
Question 5: In the US, which medication is used to reverse an opioid overdose and is available in many community settings?
- Methadone
- Buprenorphine
- Naloxone (Narcan) (Correct answer)
- Disulfiram (Antabuse)
Correct answer: Naloxone (Narcan)
Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses overdose and is widely distributed in US communities.
Question 6: When a client becomes verbally aggressive in a group setting, what is the BEST immediate action for the addiction technician?
- Match the client's tone to assert authority
- Calmly de-escalate, address the client privately if possible, and involve clinical staff (Correct answer)
- Ignore the behavior so it does not escalate
- Immediately call law enforcement
Correct answer: Calmly de-escalate, address the client privately if possible, and involve clinical staff
De-escalation using a calm, non-confrontational approach and separating the client from the group protects all participants and maintains safety.
CAT CAT Crisis Intervention and Safety 1
Which of the following is the FIRST step an addiction technician should take when a client appears to be in acute crisis?