CBHT Crisis Intervention Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A BHT is performing a suicide risk assessment. Which factor is considered a STATIC risk factor?
- Current level of hopelessness
- Previous suicide attempt history (Correct answer)
- Access to lethal means today
- Presence of a safety plan
Correct answer: Previous suicide attempt history
Previous suicide attempt history is a static (historical) risk factor that cannot be changed, unlike dynamic factors that fluctuate over time.
Question 2: When a BHT uses 'motivational interviewing' techniques during a crisis, which approach is MOST appropriate?
- Confronting the client directly about the consequences of their behavior
- Exploring ambivalence and reinforcing the client's own reasons for change (Correct answer)
- Providing expert advice and directives to resolve the crisis quickly
- Minimizing the client's stated distress to reduce catastrophizing
Correct answer: Exploring ambivalence and reinforcing the client's own reasons for change
Motivational interviewing elicits intrinsic motivation by exploring ambivalence rather than imposing change, which reduces resistance during crisis.
Question 3: During a crisis involving a client from a different cultural background, the BHT should FIRST:
- Apply standard crisis protocols without modification
- Ask a colleague unfamiliar with the client to take over
- Acknowledge cultural context and explore how crisis is understood within the client's framework (Correct answer)
- Focus solely on immediate safety without exploring cultural factors
Correct answer: Acknowledge cultural context and explore how crisis is understood within the client's framework
Cultural humility requires acknowledging that crisis expression, help-seeking, and coping vary across cultures before applying interventions.
Question 4: Which statement BEST describes the role of limits-setting during a behavioral crisis?
- Limits should be punitive to discourage repeated crises
- Limits should be set early, clearly, and consistently to provide structure and safety (Correct answer)
- Limits are unnecessary if the client's emotional needs are met
- Limits should be negotiated away to reduce confrontation
Correct answer: Limits should be set early, clearly, and consistently to provide structure and safety
Clear, consistent, non-punitive limits provide predictable structure that supports safety for both the client and staff.
Question 5: A client begins making homicidal statements toward a specific named person. The BHT's FIRST action should be to:
- Encourage the client to journal their feelings about the person
- Immediately report to the supervisor/clinical team and follow duty-to-warn protocols (Correct answer)
- Reassure the client that these feelings are normal
- Wait to see if the statements continue before reporting
Correct answer: Immediately report to the supervisor/clinical team and follow duty-to-warn protocols
Specific homicidal ideation with an identified target triggers mandatory duty-to-warn obligations and requires immediate clinical escalation.
Question 6: In trauma-informed crisis intervention, which principle is MOST critical when working with a survivor of abuse?
- Minimizing discussion of the trauma to avoid re-traumatization during crisis
- Recognizing that past trauma may be activated and prioritizing physical and emotional safety (Correct answer)
- Encouraging the client to fully process their trauma history to resolve the crisis
- Applying physical holds quickly to prevent further distress
Correct answer: Recognizing that past trauma may be activated and prioritizing physical and emotional safety
Trauma-informed care prioritizes recognizing trauma's impact, emphasizing safety, and avoiding retraumatization — especially during a crisis state.
Question 7: After a physical crisis intervention requiring restraint, the BHT should prioritize which post-event action?
- Resuming the client's regular schedule immediately to re-establish routine
- Conducting a therapeutic debrief with the client to review the event and rebuild rapport (Correct answer)
- Avoiding discussion of the event to prevent re-traumatization
- Filing incident documentation only after the next shift begins
Correct answer: Conducting a therapeutic debrief with the client to review the event and rebuild rapport
Post-crisis debriefing with the client addresses emotional impact, restores trust, and identifies triggers to prevent future incidents.
CBHT Crisis Intervention Techniques 3
A BHT is performing a suicide risk assessment.
Which factor is considered a STATIC risk factor?