CFTC CFTC Trauma-Informed Care & Psychological First Aid 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which trauma response pattern involves a person becoming emotionally numb and detached as a coping mechanism?
- Hyperarousal
- Dissociation (Correct answer)
- Hypervigilance
- Re-experiencing
Correct answer: Dissociation
Dissociation is a protective mechanism where the mind detaches from overwhelming experiences, feelings, or surroundings.
Question 2: In the context of Psychological First Aid, 'stabilization' primarily aims to:
- Obtain a complete trauma history
- Reduce acute distress and restore a sense of calm (Correct answer)
- Diagnose PTSD or acute stress disorder
- Initiate formal psychotherapy
Correct answer: Reduce acute distress and restore a sense of calm
Stabilization in PFA focuses on calming immediate distress responses rather than deep trauma processing.
Question 3: Which of the following is a key component of trauma-informed organizational practice?
- Standardizing all client interactions regardless of history
- Training all staff across all departments in trauma principles (Correct answer)
- Limiting trauma disclosures to licensed clinicians only
- Reducing documentation to minimize re-traumatization triggers
Correct answer: Training all staff across all departments in trauma principles
Trauma-informed organizations embed trauma awareness across all roles and departments, not just clinical staff.
Question 4: The ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study is significant in forensic trauma practice because it demonstrates:
- That childhood trauma has no lasting neurological impact if treated early
- A dose-response relationship between childhood adversity and long-term health outcomes (Correct answer)
- That adult trauma is more damaging than childhood trauma
- ACEs primarily affect cognitive development, not emotional regulation
Correct answer: A dose-response relationship between childhood adversity and long-term health outcomes
The ACEs study showed that higher ACE scores correlate with significantly worse physical and mental health outcomes in adulthood.
Question 5: Which grounding technique is considered MOST appropriate during acute dissociative episodes in a clinical setting?
- Encouraging the client to close their eyes and visualize a safe place
- Using sensory-based prompts such as naming five things they can see (Correct answer)
- Asking the client to recount their traumatic experience in detail
- Administering anxiolytic medication immediately
Correct answer: Using sensory-based prompts such as naming five things they can see
Sensory grounding (5-4-3-2-1) anchors the person to present reality using sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste.
Question 6: A trauma-informed approach to screening differs from traditional screening because it:
- Requires trauma disclosure before services are offered
- Creates safety and context before asking sensitive questions (Correct answer)
- Uses standardized questionnaires without modification
- Prioritizes efficiency over client comfort
Correct answer: Creates safety and context before asking sensitive questions
Trauma-informed screening establishes rapport, explains purpose, and ensures the client feels safe before gathering sensitive information.
CFTC CFTC Trauma-Informed Care & Psychological First Aid 2
Which trauma response pattern involves a person becoming emotionally numb and detached as a coping mechanism?