SCS Self-Care & Compassion Fatigue 2

Question 1

A chaplain notices they have become emotionally numb and cynical toward patients after months of heavy caseloads. This response is BEST described as:

Accepted Answer

Compassion fatigue

Answer

Compassion fatigue is characterized by emotional exhaustion and reduced empathy resulting from cumulative caregiving stress.

Question 2

Which professional boundary practice most directly prevents compassion fatigue in spiritual care providers?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining clear role boundaries while remaining emotionally present

Answer

Maintaining role boundaries while staying present allows caregivers to engage deeply without losing their professional identity.

Question 3

The Maslach Burnout Inventory measures three dimensions of burnout. Which of the following is NOT one of those dimensions?

Accepted Answer

Secondary traumatic stress

Answer

The MBI measures emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment; secondary traumatic stress is a separate construct.

Question 4

A chaplain who regularly journals, exercises, and attends spiritual direction is practicing which type of self-care?

Accepted Answer

Proactive or preventive self-care

Answer

Proactive self-care involves consistent practices that build resilience before problems emerge.

Question 5

When a spiritual care provider absorbs the trauma of a dying patient's family and begins experiencing nightmares about death, this is MOST accurately called:

Accepted Answer

Secondary traumatic stress disorder (STSD)

Answer

STSD involves PTSD-like symptoms—including nightmares—arising from indirect exposure to another's trauma.

(SCS) Spiritual Care Specialist Practice Test

(SCS) Spiritual Care Specialist Practice Test

SCS Self-Care & Compassion Fatigue 2