Child Life Exam Child Life Trauma-Informed Care 2

Question 1

Secondary traumatic stress (STS) in child life specialists is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Indirect trauma symptoms arising from empathic engagement with traumatized patients and families

Answer

Secondary traumatic stress occurs when practitioners absorb the trauma narratives of those they help, developing trauma-like symptoms through empathic engagement rather than direct exposure.

Question 2

The concept of the 'window of tolerance,' relevant to trauma-informed pediatric care, refers to:

Accepted Answer

The optimal zone of nervous system arousal in which a child can process experiences and engage in learning

Answer

The window of tolerance describes the zone of optimal arousal where a child's nervous system is regulated enough to engage, process information, and participate in coping—not in hyper- or hypo-arousal states.

Question 3

Which of the following best reflects a trauma-sensitive communication strategy when preparing a child for a needle procedure?

Accepted Answer

Providing honest, developmentally appropriate preparation with coping options and a sense of predictability

Answer

Honest, developmentally tailored preparation with coping choices reduces unpredictability and powerlessness—two key trauma triggers—while building trust and self-efficacy.

Question 4

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) in children following medical trauma refers to:

Accepted Answer

Positive psychological changes that can emerge as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances

Answer

Post-traumatic growth describes positive psychological transformation—such as increased resilience, empathy, or new possibilities—that can emerge from the struggle with highly challenging experiences.

Question 5

According to polyvagal theory, relevant to trauma-informed care, which state is associated with social engagement, connection, and learning in children?

Accepted Answer

Ventral vagal regulation (safe and social)

Answer

Polyvagal theory describes the ventral vagal state as the 'safe and social' state where the nervous system is regulated enough for connection, engagement, and learning—the ideal state for therapeutic intervention.

Child Life Exam Practice Test

Child Life Exam Practice Test

Child Life Exam Child Life Trauma-Informed Care 2