Chemical Dependency Counselor License Exam Crisis Intervention 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client presents with benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms including seizure activity. Which action is OUTSIDE the scope of a chemical dependency counselor's role?
- Calling 911 for emergency medical services
- Notifying the clinical supervisor
- Administering a benzodiazepine to control the seizure (Correct answer)
- Keeping the environment calm and safe until EMS arrives
Correct answer: Administering a benzodiazepine to control the seizure
Administering medications—including benzodiazepines to treat withdrawal seizures—is a medical act outside the scope of counselor practice.
Question 2: Which of the following is the BEST example of a protective factor that reduces suicide risk in a client with a substance use disorder?
- Living alone with independent housing
- A history of multiple psychiatric hospitalizations
- Strong religious or spiritual beliefs against suicide (Correct answer)
- Previous suicide attempts with low lethality
Correct answer: Strong religious or spiritual beliefs against suicide
Strong spiritual or religious beliefs that include moral objection to suicide are well-documented protective factors that reduce suicide risk.
Question 3: A counselor uses the mnemonic IS PATH WARM to screen for suicide risk. What does the 'W' stand for?
- Withdrawal (Correct answer)
- Warning signs
- Worthlessness
- Will to live
Correct answer: Withdrawal
In IS PATH WARM, 'W' stands for Withdrawal—social isolation from friends, family, and activities—which is a significant behavioral warning sign.
Question 4: A client who experienced childhood sexual abuse is now in crisis after a relapse triggered by an anniversary date. Which trauma-informed crisis response is MOST appropriate?
- Avoid discussing the trauma to prevent retraumatization during the crisis
- Acknowledge the connection between the anniversary, trauma history, and the relapse without deep trauma processing (Correct answer)
- Discharge the client to a trauma specialist before addressing substance use
- Confront the client's use of trauma as an excuse for the relapse
Correct answer: Acknowledge the connection between the anniversary, trauma history, and the relapse without deep trauma processing
A trauma-informed approach acknowledges the link between trauma triggers and substance use crisis without deep trauma processing, which belongs in stabilized treatment.
Question 5: When assessing a client's coping resources during a crisis, the counselor is primarily evaluating:
- The client's intellectual quotient and academic history
- Internal strengths and external supports available to manage the crisis (Correct answer)
- The client's insurance benefits and treatment eligibility
- Prior criminal justice involvement related to substance use
Correct answer: Internal strengths and external supports available to manage the crisis
Coping resource assessment focuses on both internal strengths (resilience, problem-solving) and external supports (family, sponsors, community) the client can draw upon.
Question 6: A counselor is wrapping up a crisis session. Which action is MOST consistent with effective crisis resolution?
- Instructing the client not to contact the counselor until the next scheduled appointment
- Collaborating with the client to create a written follow-up plan with specific next steps (Correct answer)
- Providing a list of hotline numbers and ending the session
- Advising the client to rest and return only if the crisis worsens
Correct answer: Collaborating with the client to create a written follow-up plan with specific next steps
Collaboratively developing a written follow-up plan with specific next steps ensures continuity of care and reinforces the client's agency in the recovery process.
Question 7: A counselor learns that a client in crisis has been posting farewell messages on social media. This behavior MOST indicates:
- Attention-seeking behavior that does not require clinical concern
- Saying goodbye—a preparatory behavior that warrants immediate risk assessment (Correct answer)
- A healthy use of social support during a difficult time
- Boundary violations that should be addressed in a future session
Correct answer: Saying goodbye—a preparatory behavior that warrants immediate risk assessment
Farewell messages are a recognized warning sign of suicidal intent and constitute preparatory behavior requiring immediate, thorough risk assessment.
