CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALIST EXAM
ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL
REVISED ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE
UPDATE WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS –
ASSURES PASS
1. Which of the following best defines the primary goal of crisis intervention?
A. To eliminate the stressor from the client’s environment
B. To stabilize the client and restore functioning to pre-crisis levels
C. To provide long-term therapy for chronic mental illness
D. To enforce legal consequences for harmful behaviors
The primary goal of crisis intervention is to stabilize the client’s emotional
and functional state, allowing them to regain control and return to their
baseline functioning.
2. A client presents with severe panic and hyperventilation after witnessing a
violent accident. Which intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Begin cognitive restructuring immediately
B. Encourage the client to relive the traumatic event
C. Use grounding techniques and controlled breathing
D. Provide detailed psychoeducation about trauma
Grounding and controlled breathing help reduce acute physiological
arousal and allow the client to regain a sense of safety.
3. The ABC model in crisis intervention stands for:
A. Assess, Build rapport, Counsel
B. Achieve safety, Build rapport, Clarify problem
C. Analyze, Balance, Change
D. Ask, Behave, Consult
, The ABC model guides crisis workers to first ensure safety, establish
rapport, and then clarify the problem to guide intervention.
4. During a crisis assessment, a client expresses thoughts of self-harm. The
most immediate responsibility of the crisis worker is to:
A. Explore the client’s childhood trauma
B. Assess for lethality and implement safety measures
C. Teach coping strategies for anxiety
D. Refer the client to a support group
Immediate risk assessment is critical to prevent harm and guide
appropriate safety interventions.
5. Which theoretical approach emphasizes that crises are temporary and may
lead to personal growth if managed successfully?
A. Psychodynamic theory
B. Crisis theory (Caplan)
C. Behavioral theory
D. Cognitive therapy
Crisis theory conceptualizes crises as acute events that disrupt equilibrium
but can result in growth when resolved effectively.
6. A client experiencing acute grief following the loss of a loved one exhibits
disorganized behavior and frequent crying. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Prescribe anti-depressant medication
B. Provide empathetic support and validation of emotions
C. Encourage the client to suppress emotions to function
D. Refer for immediate long-term psychotherapy
In acute grief, immediate intervention focuses on emotional support rather
than long-term treatment.
,7. Which of the following best illustrates an ethical principle of autonomy in
crisis intervention?
A. Making all decisions for a client
B. Restricting the client’s communication to prevent stress
C. Respecting the client’s right to make choices about their own care
D. Ensuring the client follows all recommended therapy exactly
Autonomy emphasizes the client’s right to self-determination and
informed decision-making.
8. A school counselor is called to a situation where a student threatens self-
harm. The counselor should first:
A. Ignore the threat to avoid escalating the situation
B. Directly assess the seriousness of the threat
C. Notify law enforcement immediately without assessment
D. Discuss general stress management strategies
Direct assessment of risk ensures that interventions match the immediacy
of potential harm.
9. Which factor is most associated with an increased risk of suicide during a
crisis?
A. Strong social support
B. Optimistic future orientation
C. Recent major life stressor combined with mental illness
D. High resilience
A combination of acute stressors and pre-existing mental health
conditions significantly increases suicide risk.
10.A client becomes verbally aggressive during a crisis session. The most
appropriate initial response is:
A. Yell back to assert control
, B. Maintain calm, set clear boundaries, and ensure safety
C. Immediately terminate the session
D. Physically restrain the client
De-escalation requires calm, boundary-setting, and safety management to
prevent escalation.
11.In crisis intervention, the term “secondary trauma” refers to:
A. Trauma experienced by the client after the crisis
B. Trauma caused by improper interventions
C. Emotional and psychological effects experienced by the helper
D. A trauma unrelated to the crisis
Secondary trauma can occur in professionals who work closely with
clients experiencing intense distress.
12.A client reports persistent flashbacks following a robbery. Which
intervention aligns with evidence-based crisis management?
A. Encourage the client to avoid any discussion of the event
B. Use grounding techniques and short-term coping strategies
C. Immediately prescribe long-term medication
D. Refer exclusively to inpatient care
Short-term interventions that stabilize the client are appropriate before
longer-term trauma therapy.
13.Which of the following is a key component of effective communication in
crisis situations?
A. Using technical jargon
B. Avoiding eye contact
C. Active listening and reflective responses
D. Providing solutions immediately
ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL
REVISED ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE
UPDATE WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS –
ASSURES PASS
1. Which of the following best defines the primary goal of crisis intervention?
A. To eliminate the stressor from the client’s environment
B. To stabilize the client and restore functioning to pre-crisis levels
C. To provide long-term therapy for chronic mental illness
D. To enforce legal consequences for harmful behaviors
The primary goal of crisis intervention is to stabilize the client’s emotional
and functional state, allowing them to regain control and return to their
baseline functioning.
2. A client presents with severe panic and hyperventilation after witnessing a
violent accident. Which intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Begin cognitive restructuring immediately
B. Encourage the client to relive the traumatic event
C. Use grounding techniques and controlled breathing
D. Provide detailed psychoeducation about trauma
Grounding and controlled breathing help reduce acute physiological
arousal and allow the client to regain a sense of safety.
3. The ABC model in crisis intervention stands for:
A. Assess, Build rapport, Counsel
B. Achieve safety, Build rapport, Clarify problem
C. Analyze, Balance, Change
D. Ask, Behave, Consult
, The ABC model guides crisis workers to first ensure safety, establish
rapport, and then clarify the problem to guide intervention.
4. During a crisis assessment, a client expresses thoughts of self-harm. The
most immediate responsibility of the crisis worker is to:
A. Explore the client’s childhood trauma
B. Assess for lethality and implement safety measures
C. Teach coping strategies for anxiety
D. Refer the client to a support group
Immediate risk assessment is critical to prevent harm and guide
appropriate safety interventions.
5. Which theoretical approach emphasizes that crises are temporary and may
lead to personal growth if managed successfully?
A. Psychodynamic theory
B. Crisis theory (Caplan)
C. Behavioral theory
D. Cognitive therapy
Crisis theory conceptualizes crises as acute events that disrupt equilibrium
but can result in growth when resolved effectively.
6. A client experiencing acute grief following the loss of a loved one exhibits
disorganized behavior and frequent crying. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Prescribe anti-depressant medication
B. Provide empathetic support and validation of emotions
C. Encourage the client to suppress emotions to function
D. Refer for immediate long-term psychotherapy
In acute grief, immediate intervention focuses on emotional support rather
than long-term treatment.
,7. Which of the following best illustrates an ethical principle of autonomy in
crisis intervention?
A. Making all decisions for a client
B. Restricting the client’s communication to prevent stress
C. Respecting the client’s right to make choices about their own care
D. Ensuring the client follows all recommended therapy exactly
Autonomy emphasizes the client’s right to self-determination and
informed decision-making.
8. A school counselor is called to a situation where a student threatens self-
harm. The counselor should first:
A. Ignore the threat to avoid escalating the situation
B. Directly assess the seriousness of the threat
C. Notify law enforcement immediately without assessment
D. Discuss general stress management strategies
Direct assessment of risk ensures that interventions match the immediacy
of potential harm.
9. Which factor is most associated with an increased risk of suicide during a
crisis?
A. Strong social support
B. Optimistic future orientation
C. Recent major life stressor combined with mental illness
D. High resilience
A combination of acute stressors and pre-existing mental health
conditions significantly increases suicide risk.
10.A client becomes verbally aggressive during a crisis session. The most
appropriate initial response is:
A. Yell back to assert control
, B. Maintain calm, set clear boundaries, and ensure safety
C. Immediately terminate the session
D. Physically restrain the client
De-escalation requires calm, boundary-setting, and safety management to
prevent escalation.
11.In crisis intervention, the term “secondary trauma” refers to:
A. Trauma experienced by the client after the crisis
B. Trauma caused by improper interventions
C. Emotional and psychological effects experienced by the helper
D. A trauma unrelated to the crisis
Secondary trauma can occur in professionals who work closely with
clients experiencing intense distress.
12.A client reports persistent flashbacks following a robbery. Which
intervention aligns with evidence-based crisis management?
A. Encourage the client to avoid any discussion of the event
B. Use grounding techniques and short-term coping strategies
C. Immediately prescribe long-term medication
D. Refer exclusively to inpatient care
Short-term interventions that stabilize the client are appropriate before
longer-term trauma therapy.
13.Which of the following is a key component of effective communication in
crisis situations?
A. Using technical jargon
B. Avoiding eye contact
C. Active listening and reflective responses
D. Providing solutions immediately
