LSP Crisis Intervention & Emergency Services 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The concept of 'psychological debriefing' after a critical incident has been controversial primarily because research indicates it may:
- Reduce symptoms of PTSD in all first responders
- Interfere with natural recovery and potentially worsen outcomes (Correct answer)
- Be too time-consuming for practical field use
- Require a licensed psychiatrist to facilitate
Correct answer: Interfere with natural recovery and potentially worsen outcomes
Studies, including multiple meta-analyses, found that single-session critical incident debriefing did not prevent PTSD and could disrupt natural recovery processes.
Question 2: A psychologist receives a call from a client's family reporting the client texted goodbye messages to multiple people. The psychologist cannot reach the client by phone. The MOST appropriate next step is:
- Wait 24 hours and attempt contact again
- Document the concern and continue standard scheduling
- Contact emergency services for a welfare check (Correct answer)
- Notify the client's employer
Correct answer: Contact emergency services for a welfare check
Imminent risk indicators such as farewell messages warrant contacting emergency services for an immediate welfare check to ensure the client's safety.
Question 3: Which term describes the phenomenon where crisis workers gradually develop secondary trauma symptoms from repeated exposure to clients' traumatic material?
- Burnout
- Compassion fatigue (Correct answer)
- Moral injury
- Countertransference
Correct answer: Compassion fatigue
Compassion fatigue, also called secondary traumatic stress, results from the emotional residue of exposure to others' trauma and is distinct from general occupational burnout.
Question 4: A client presents to an emergency psychiatric unit after a suicide attempt by overdose. Before beginning a psychosocial assessment, the clinician should FIRST:
- Administer the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
- Confirm medical clearance from the treating physician (Correct answer)
- Obtain a release of information from family members
- Review the client's previous psychiatric records
Correct answer: Confirm medical clearance from the treating physician
Medical stability must be established before a psychosocial evaluation because ongoing medical compromise may affect the client's mental status and capacity.
Question 5: In the context of the LSP exam, which of the following best describes a 'protective factor' in suicide risk assessment?
- A history of previous suicide attempts
- Strong sense of religious prohibition against suicide (Correct answer)
- Access to firearms in the home
- Recent significant losses
Correct answer: Strong sense of religious prohibition against suicide
Religious or moral objections to suicide are among the well-established protective factors that can reduce the likelihood of acting on suicidal ideation.
Question 6: A school psychologist is called to assist after a student death by suicide. Which of the following is CONTRAINDICATED in school-based postvention?
- Providing grief counseling groups for affected students
- Holding a large school-wide memorial assembly glorifying the deceased (Correct answer)
- Communicating factual information to staff and students
- Training faculty to identify at-risk students
Correct answer: Holding a large school-wide memorial assembly glorifying the deceased
Glorifying or sensationalizing a suicide through large memorials can increase contagion risk (copycat suicides) and is specifically warned against in evidence-based postvention guidelines.
Question 7: Which legal standard is typically invoked to hospitalize an unwilling adult client who poses an imminent danger to others?
- Parens patriae
- Police power doctrine (Correct answer)
- Tarasoff standard
- In loco parentis
Correct answer: Police power doctrine
The police power doctrine authorizes the state to detain individuals who pose a danger to others in order to protect public safety.
LSP Crisis Intervention & Emergency Services 3
The concept of 'psychological debriefing' after a critical incident has been controversial primarily because research indicates it may: