JIBC Crisis Intervention and De-escalation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which communication technique involves repeating back what a person in crisis has said in your own words to show understanding?
- Active listening
- Paraphrasing (Correct answer)
- Mirroring
- Summarizing
Correct answer: Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing restates the person's message in the responder's own words, demonstrating comprehension and validating their experience.
Question 2: A person in a mental health crisis begins pacing rapidly and clenching their fists. What does this behavior most likely indicate?
- Disinterest in help
- Escalating agitation requiring immediate de-escalation (Correct answer)
- Readiness to comply with instructions
- A sign of deception
Correct answer: Escalating agitation requiring immediate de-escalation
Rapid pacing and fist-clenching are physical signs of escalating agitation, signaling the need for immediate de-escalation strategies.
Question 3: In the JIBC crisis intervention model, what is the primary goal of the 'Establish Rapport' stage?
- Gather evidence for a report
- Build trust so the person feels safe communicating (Correct answer)
- Quickly resolve the situation by issuing commands
- Assess legal liability
Correct answer: Build trust so the person feels safe communicating
Establishing rapport creates a trusting relationship that encourages the person in crisis to communicate openly and accept assistance.
Question 4: When using open-ended questions during crisis intervention, what is the main advantage?
- They require only yes or no answers
- They allow the person to express themselves freely (Correct answer)
- They speed up information gathering
- They limit the subject's responses
Correct answer: They allow the person to express themselves freely
Open-ended questions invite the person to share their thoughts and feelings freely, providing richer information and demonstrating respect.
Question 5: A crisis intervention officer notices that a subject's breathing is extremely rapid and shallow. What physiological state does this suggest?
- Calm and cooperative
- Acute stress response / hyperarousal (Correct answer)
- Sedation from substances
- Normal resting state
Correct answer: Acute stress response / hyperarousal
Rapid, shallow breathing is a hallmark sign of acute stress response, indicating the person's sympathetic nervous system is highly activated.
Question 6: Which of the following is a key principle of trauma-informed crisis response?
- Prioritize speed of resolution over individual needs
- Recognize that past trauma can influence current crisis behavior (Correct answer)
- Avoid asking about personal history
- Use physical control as a first response
Correct answer: Recognize that past trauma can influence current crisis behavior
Trauma-informed practice recognizes that unresolved past trauma frequently underlies current crisis behavior, shaping how responders engage.
Question 7: What does 'giving choices' during de-escalation accomplish?
- Delays resolution unnecessarily
- Restores a sense of control to the person in crisis (Correct answer)
- Confuses the individual further
- Transfers legal responsibility to the subject
Correct answer: Restores a sense of control to the person in crisis
Offering choices restores a sense of agency and control, which directly reduces feelings of helplessness that often intensify crises.
JIBC Crisis Intervention and De-escalation 2
Which communication technique involves repeating back what a person in crisis has said in your own words to show understanding?