CBMT Safety in Music Therapy Practice

Question 1

A music therapist is working with a trauma survivor when the client suddenly becomes visibly agitated and dissociates during a drumming improvisation. What is the MOST appropriate immediate response?

Accepted Answer

Stop the drumming, use a calm grounding cue, and offer a stabilizing alternative activity

Answer

Increase the tempo to help the client release pent-up emotion

Answer

Continue the drumming and process the reaction verbally at session's end

Answer

Document the response and proceed with the planned session

Question 2

Which of the following is the MOST important contraindication for using high-volume amplified music in a clinical music therapy session?

Accepted Answer

A client with noise-induced hearing loss or acoustic neuroma

Answer

A client with treatment-resistant depression

Answer

A client with autism spectrum disorder in a group setting

Answer

A client with chronic pain who prefers silence

Question 3

A music therapist is assigned to work with a client in a hospital room placed on contact isolation for a drug-resistant infection. What is the MOST appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Consult nursing staff, comply with all isolation protocols, and use instruments that can be properly sanitized or are designated single-use

Answer

Cancel the session entirely, as music therapy cannot be provided under isolation precautions

Answer

Enter the room without modifications since music therapy does not involve bodily contact

Answer

Provide only recorded music played from outside the room doorway

Question 4

During a lyric analysis group, a client spontaneously discloses active suicidal ideation. What is the MOST appropriate next step for the music therapist?

Accepted Answer

Follow the facility's crisis protocol, notify the appropriate clinical team members, and accurately document the disclosure

Answer

Continue the lyric discussion therapeutically to allow the client to process the feeling

Answer

Abruptly end the group session and escort the client to the emergency department

Answer

Contact the client's family immediately before alerting any clinical staff

Question 5

Which of the following represents a client-specific safety factor that a music therapist MUST consider when planning an intervention?

Accepted Answer

The client's current diagnosis, active symptoms, and clinical disposition

Answer

The client's stated preference for a particular genre of music

Answer

The therapist's personal comfort level with a specific instrument

Answer

The availability of percussion instruments in the therapy room

Question 6

Before beginning a group music therapy session in a newly assigned room, the therapist notices that power cords from amplifiers are crossing the main walkway where clients will enter. What should the therapist do?

Accepted Answer

Secure or re-route the cords to eliminate the trip hazard before any clients enter the room

Answer

Warn clients verbally about the cords when they enter and monitor them throughout

Answer

Cancel the session and submit a facility maintenance report

Answer

Ask a staff member to stand near the cords during the session to assist clients