Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Flashcards
7 cards from real PSS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Crisis Intervention and De-escalation flashcards as text
When approaching a person who is visibly agitated and in crisis, the first and most important priority is to:
Answer: Assess the situation for everyone's safety.
Before any intervention can occur, the environment must be assessed for safety. This includes ensuring your own safety, the safety of the person in crisis, and the safety of any bystanders. A safe environment is the foundation for effective de-escalation.
Which of the following is an effective verbal de-escalation technique?
Answer: Using a calm tone of voice and validating their feelings.
Using a calm, low tone of voice can be soothing and non-threatening, helping to de-escalate a tense situation. Speaking loudly, quickly, or making demands can increase a person's agitation and escalate the crisis.
In terms of non-verbal communication, what is a key strategy for de-escalation?
Answer: Allowing for personal space and maintaining an open posture.
Maintaining a respectful personal space (typically 1.5 to 3 feet) is crucial. Getting too close can feel threatening and escalate agitation, while standing too far away can seem disengaged. An open, relaxed posture is also key.
A peer is in crisis and expresses intense anger. The concept of 'validation' means you should:
Answer: Acknowledge their feeling of anger without judgment.
Validation involves acknowledging and showing respect for a person's feelings without necessarily agreeing with their actions or perceptions. Saying something like, 'I can see how incredibly angry you are right now,' validates the emotion and helps the person feel heard.
The primary role of a Peer Support Specialist during a crisis is to:
Answer: Offer support, connection, and help the person feel safe.
The PSS is not a first responder or clinician responsible for controlling the situation. Their role is to offer support, use their lived experience to build connection and hope, and help the person feel heard and safe until the crisis subsides or further help arrives.
If de-escalation attempts are failing and the situation is becoming more dangerous, the Peer Support Specialist should:
Answer: Prioritize safety by disengaging and calling for emergency help.
The safety of the peer, the specialist, and others is paramount. If the situation escalates beyond the specialist's ability to manage it safely, their responsibility is to disengage and call for immediate assistance from emergency services or a designated crisis team.
After a crisis has been successfully de-escalated, an important next step is to:
Answer: Work with the peer to develop a post-crisis or safety plan.
Once the immediate crisis is over, it's important to discuss what happened in a calm and supportive manner. This can involve creating a safety plan or a post-crisis plan to identify triggers, coping skills, and supports to help prevent or manage future crises.