CBIS Crisis Intervention Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A person with TBI becomes agitated and starts throwing objects during a therapy session. What is the FIRST priority of the crisis responder?
- Restrain the individual immediately
- Ensure the safety of all persons in the environment (Correct answer)
- Call law enforcement
- Administer a calming medication
Correct answer: Ensure the safety of all persons in the environment
Ensuring safety of all persons present is always the first priority before any other intervention.
Question 2: Which communication technique is most effective when de-escalating a TBI survivor in a verbal crisis?
- Speaking loudly to maintain authority
- Using short, simple, calm sentences (Correct answer)
- Presenting multiple choices quickly to redirect focus
- Arguing to correct factual misperceptions
Correct answer: Using short, simple, calm sentences
Short, simple, calm sentences reduce cognitive load and help a person with TBI process information during emotional dysregulation.
Question 3: During a crisis, a TBI survivor says, 'Nobody cares if I live or die.' How should the specialist respond?
- Redirect the conversation to rehabilitation goals
- Dismiss the statement as frustration-driven exaggeration
- Conduct a direct suicide risk assessment (Correct answer)
- Immediately call 911 without engaging the individual
Correct answer: Conduct a direct suicide risk assessment
Any statement suggesting suicidal ideation requires direct, immediate risk assessment to determine level of danger.
Question 4: Which environmental modification best supports crisis prevention in a TBI rehabilitation setting?
- Increasing ambient noise to stimulate alertness
- Reducing visual clutter and overstimulation (Correct answer)
- Scheduling all therapy in the afternoon when staff is most available
- Using fluorescent lighting to maintain circadian rhythm
Correct answer: Reducing visual clutter and overstimulation
Reducing sensory overstimulation decreases the likelihood of behavioral dysregulation in TBI survivors.
Question 5: A TBI survivor with frontal lobe damage is unable to stop an aggressive verbal outburst. Which strategy is most appropriate?
- Engage in logical debate to redirect the behavior
- Remove unnecessary bystanders and reduce stimulation (Correct answer)
- Increase demands to promote behavioral compliance
- Use physical restraint as the first intervention
Correct answer: Remove unnecessary bystanders and reduce stimulation
Frontal lobe injury impairs impulse control, so reducing stimulation and audience size limits escalation triggers.
Question 6: What does the acronym 'SLAP' help assess in a suicidal crisis for a TBI survivor?
- Severity, Lethality, Availability of means, Proximity of rescue (Correct answer)
- Stress level, Legal action, Agitation, Psychosis
- Self-harm history, Living situation, Anxiety, Plan
- Symptoms, Location, Assessment, Plan
Correct answer: Severity, Lethality, Availability of means, Proximity of rescue
SLAP (Severity, Lethality, Availability, Proximity) is a structured tool for assessing immediate suicide risk.
Question 7: Which of the following is a recognized behavioral warning sign that a TBI survivor may be approaching a crisis state?
- Increased participation in group activities
- Sudden withdrawal and refusal to communicate (Correct answer)
- Asking more questions about the treatment plan
- Improved sleep patterns
Correct answer: Sudden withdrawal and refusal to communicate
Sudden withdrawal and refusal to engage are common early warning signs of an impending behavioral or emotional crisis in TBI survivors.
CBIS Crisis Intervention Techniques 2
A person with TBI becomes agitated and starts throwing objects during a therapy session.
What is the FIRST priority of the crisis responder?