TSS Crisis Intervention & De-escalation Questions and Answers Flashcards

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is best described as:

Answer: An evidence-informed modular approach to assist people in the immediate aftermath of disaster or trauma

PFA is an evidence-informed approach designed to reduce initial distress and support adaptive functioning for individuals affected by disasters or crises.

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is considered most appropriate when:

Answer: Provided to a group shortly after a shared traumatic event to process reactions and provide psychoeducation

CISD is designed for group settings in the days shortly following a shared critical incident to facilitate emotional processing and normalize stress reactions.

When providing crisis intervention to an individual from a culture that emphasizes collectivism and family honor, a TSS specialist should FIRST:

Answer: Explore the individual's cultural values and how they shape the perception of the crisis and acceptable help

Culturally competent crisis intervention requires understanding the client's cultural framework before implementing strategies, as cultural values significantly shape crisis meaning and help-seeking.

After a crisis intervention encounter, documentation should MINIMALLY include:

Answer: The nature of the crisis, risk assessment findings, interventions provided, and the follow-up plan

Thorough crisis documentation must capture the presenting crisis, risk assessment, interventions used, and a clear follow-up or referral plan to ensure continuity of care and legal defensibility.

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is distinguished from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) primarily by:

Answer: ASD symptoms occurring within 3 days to 4 weeks of trauma exposure, while PTSD persists beyond 30 days

ASD is defined by trauma-related symptoms that emerge within 3 days of the event and last no longer than 4 weeks; PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms persist beyond one month.

When conducting crisis intervention via telephone or telehealth, which adaptation is MOST critical compared to in-person intervention?

Answer: Relying heavily on verbal cues and explicit check-ins because non-verbal information is limited or absent

Without visual cues, practitioners must rely on tone of voice, pacing, pauses, and explicit verbal check-ins to accurately assess emotional state and safety.

When a client engages in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) during a crisis, the TSS specialist's immediate priority should be:

Answer: Ensuring physical safety and conducting a thorough risk assessment to distinguish NSSI from suicidal intent

The first priority is physical safety, followed by a careful assessment to determine whether the NSSI reflects suicidal intent or a coping mechanism, as this distinction drives the intervention pathway.