Crisis Intervention Flashcards

A client presents in a domestic violence crisis shelter. According to trauma-informed crisis intervention, which response by the social worker is MOST appropriate?

Answer: Provide choices and options to restore a sense of control and safety

Trauma-informed care in crisis emphasizes empowerment and restoring a sense of control, as domestic violence survivors have often experienced profound loss of agency.

The Caplan model of crisis theory identifies three types of crises. Which of the following is classified as a maturational or developmental crisis?

Answer: A teenager leaving home for college for the first time

Maturational (developmental) crises arise from normal life transitions such as adolescence leaving home, whereas situational crises result from unexpected external events.

Which of the following tools is MOST widely used by social workers to conduct a structured suicide risk assessment?

Answer: Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is a standardized, evidence-based instrument specifically designed to assess the presence, intensity, and lethality of suicidal ideation and behavior.

A social worker receives a call from a client who states: 'I just can't take it anymore and I've been thinking about ending it all.' What is the MOST clinically appropriate immediate response?

Answer: Ask directly: 'Are you thinking about suicide?'

Directly asking about suicide is clinically indicated and research shows it does not increase risk; it opens communication and enables accurate assessment of the client's intent.

In crisis intervention, a safety plan is distinguished from a 'no-suicide contract' primarily because:

Answer: Safety plans provide concrete coping steps and resources, whereas no-suicide contracts lack evidence of effectiveness

Safety plans are evidence-based collaborative tools outlining warning signs, coping strategies, and contacts, whereas no-suicide contracts have been shown to be ineffective and may create a false sense of security.

A social worker in a hospital emergency department encounters a client experiencing a psychiatric crisis related to acute psychosis. What is the MOST important initial step?

Answer: Ensure the environment is safe and the client is not in physical danger

Ensuring environmental and physical safety is the foundational first step in any psychiatric crisis, as a psychotic client may be at risk of self-harm or harm to others.

Which of the following BEST describes 'defusing' in the context of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)?

Answer: An informal, brief group intervention conducted within hours of a critical incident

Defusing is a short, informal CISM intervention provided within hours of a critical incident to reduce acute stress reactions, distinct from the more formal debriefing conducted 24-72 hours later.