STRTP Safety and Crisis Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: California STRTP regulations require that staff trained in crisis intervention use which of the following approved de-escalation approaches?
- Trauma-informed, non-coercive verbal de-escalation techniques (Correct answer)
- Immediate physical restraint for any aggressive behavior
- Seclusion in a separate room for a minimum of 30 minutes
- Removal of all privileges for a 24-hour period
Correct answer: Trauma-informed, non-coercive verbal de-escalation techniques
STRTP crisis intervention must be grounded in trauma-informed principles emphasizing verbal de-escalation and minimizing the use of force.
Question 2: Which of the following is a 'safe messaging' guideline that STRTP staff should follow when a resident expresses suicidal ideation?
- Avoid minimizing or dismissing the resident's distress and connect them to clinical support immediately (Correct answer)
- Tell the resident that suicide is not a topic that can be discussed in the facility
- Immediately isolate the resident and wait for a psychiatrist to arrive before speaking with them
- Document the statement and address it at the next scheduled therapy session
Correct answer: Avoid minimizing or dismissing the resident's distress and connect them to clinical support immediately
Safe messaging guidelines require staff to take suicidal statements seriously, respond with empathy, and immediately connect the resident to clinical support.
Question 3: Under California regulations, seclusion (confining a resident alone in a room they cannot freely leave) in STRTPs is:
- Prohibited (Correct answer)
- Permitted for up to 15 minutes with supervisor approval
- Permitted for up to one hour with physician order
- Permitted only for residents with a documented history of assault
Correct answer: Prohibited
California law prohibits the use of seclusion in STRTPs; involuntary isolation in a locked or restricted room is not a permitted intervention.
Question 4: An STRTP's emergency and disaster plan must be practiced through a drill at minimum how often?
- Twice per year (Correct answer)
- Once every three years
- Monthly
- Only upon licensing renewal
Correct answer: Twice per year
California licensing regulations require emergency drills, including fire drills, to be conducted at least twice a year in community care facilities.
Question 5: Which of the following is the correct sequence for managing a behavioral crisis in an STRTP?
- Recognize warning signs → verbal de-escalation → least restrictive intervention → restraint if necessary → debrief (Correct answer)
- Restrain the resident immediately → call 911 → debrief next week
- Isolate the resident → administer PRN medication → document → debrief
- Alert placing agency → contact parents → verbal warning → document
Correct answer: Recognize warning signs → verbal de-escalation → least restrictive intervention → restraint if necessary → debrief
Effective crisis management follows a progressive sequence from early recognition and verbal intervention to the most restrictive options only when necessary.
Question 6: After a significant crisis or use of restraint, an STRTP should conduct a root cause analysis primarily to:
- Identify factors that contributed to the crisis and implement preventive strategies (Correct answer)
- Assign blame to the staff member on duty during the incident
- Determine if the resident should be transferred to a higher level of care immediately
- Satisfy DSS record-keeping requirements without making operational changes
Correct answer: Identify factors that contributed to the crisis and implement preventive strategies
Root cause analyses help facilities identify systemic factors and implement targeted improvements to prevent future crises.
STRTP Safety and Crisis Management 2
California STRTP regulations require that staff trained in crisis intervention use which of the following approved de-escalation approaches?