Stress Management Flashcards
6 cards from real CritiCall Dispatcher Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Stress Management flashcards as text
A dispatcher just handled a traumatic call involving a child fatality. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action by the supervisor?
Answer: Offer a brief break and check in on the dispatcher's emotional state
Immediate supervisor check-in and offering a brief break are best practices after traumatic calls to prevent acute stress response.
What physiological signs indicate a dispatcher may be experiencing acute stress during a call?
Answer: Rapid heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension, and narrowed attention
Acute stress triggers the sympathetic nervous system: increased heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension, and narrowed (tunnel) focus.
What is 'secondary traumatic stress' as it relates to 911 dispatchers?
Answer: Psychological harm resulting from indirect exposure to trauma through callers' experiences
Secondary traumatic stress (also called compassion fatigue) results from repeated indirect exposure to others' trauma — a recognized occupational hazard for dispatchers.
A dispatcher notices they are becoming increasingly irritable, losing sleep, and finding it hard to engage with calls. These symptoms most likely indicate:
Answer: Burnout or secondary traumatic stress requiring intervention
Irritability, insomnia, and emotional disengagement are classic warning signs of dispatcher burnout and secondary traumatic stress.
Which breathing technique is commonly recommended for dispatchers to manage acute stress during a call?
Answer: 4-7-8 or diaphragmatic breathing to activate the parasympathetic nervous system
Diaphragmatic or slow breathing techniques counteract the stress response by activating the parasympathetic ('rest and digest') system.
What does a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) session provide for dispatch personnel?
Answer: A structured group process for processing trauma, sharing reactions, and receiving support after critical incidents
CISD is a structured group intervention that helps emergency personnel process trauma, normalize stress reactions, and identify those needing additional support.