Patient Safety & Risk Management Flashcards
7 cards from real ACT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Safety & Risk Management flashcards as text
When an ACT therapist uses the 'observing self' exercise with a high-risk client, what is the primary clinical benefit related to safety?
Answer: It helps clients experience a stable sense of self that exists beyond transient suicidal thoughts
The observing self (self-as-context) fosters a stable perspective from which clients can witness suicidal thoughts without identifying with them, enhancing psychological safety.
A client with a trauma history becomes highly activated during an ACT mindfulness exercise. What is the safest clinical response?
Answer: Pace and titrate exposure, use grounding techniques, and modify the exercise to ensure safety
Trauma-sensitive delivery of ACT requires pacing, grounding options, and exercise modification to prevent retraumatization during mindfulness practices.
Which of the following best describes the concept of 'duty to protect' as it applies to an ACT therapist?
Answer: Taking reasonable steps to protect identified third parties from credible threats made by a client
Duty to protect requires therapists to take reasonable, affirmative steps—such as warning intended victims or involving law enforcement—when clients pose a credible threat to others.
An ACT-trained therapist is treating a client with opioid use disorder who has overdosed twice. What risk management step is most critical?
Answer: Coordinate care with prescribers, recommend naloxone access, and document risk planning
Care coordination, naloxone access for overdose reversal, and thorough risk documentation are essential components of managing overdose risk in integrated ACT treatment.
What is 'collaborative empiricism' in the context of risk management, and how does it apply in ACT?
Answer: The therapist and client jointly examine evidence about risk factors and safety resources
Collaborative empiricism involves the therapist and client jointly exploring safety concerns and testing risk management strategies, consistent with ACT's non-hierarchical stance.
A client refuses to sign a release of information form needed to coordinate care with their psychiatrist regarding medication safety. The ACT therapist should:
Answer: Explore the client's reluctance through acceptance and values work while respecting their autonomy
ACT therapists use values-based exploration and acceptance to work with client ambivalence about releases, while respecting autonomy and not violating consent laws.
What is the primary limitation of a 'no-suicide contract' compared to a collaborative safety plan?
Answer: No-suicide contracts have little empirical support for preventing suicide and may create false security
Research shows that no-suicide contracts have little empirical support for preventing suicidal behavior and can create false clinical reassurance, while collaborative safety plans are better supported.