NURS 222 Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing: Crisis Intervention &
De-escalation Techniques 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a maturational crisis. Which of the
following scenarios best exemplifies this type of crisis?
A. A client losing their home in a sudden forest fire.
B. A client experiencing significant distress after a sudden job termination.
C. A young adult struggling to adapt to the transition of moving away to college.
D. A client being diagnosed with a terminal chronic illness.
Answer: C
Rationale: Maturational crises occur at transition points in normal growth and
development (e.g., leaving home, marriage, retirement). Job loss and diagnosis are
situational, while a fire is adventitious.
2. According to Roberts’ Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model, what is the
nurse’s first priority during the initial assessment?
A. Establish rapport and rapidly create a relationship.
B. Assess for lethality and safety of the client and others.
C. Plan and implement a follow-up schedule.
D. Identify the major problems or crisis precipitants.
Answer: B
Rationale: The first stage of Roberts’ model is to conduct a biopsychosocial and
lethality/safety assessment. Ensuring the client’s safety is always the primary priority.
,3. A client is in the ‘triggering phase’ of the aggression cycle. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Suggest the client go to a quiet area or their room to talk.
B. Place the client in a mechanical restraint for safety.
C. Call a ‘code’ and prepare for physical intervention.
D. Offer the client an as-needed (PRN) sedative medication.
Answer: A
Rationale: During the triggering phase, the nurse should use verbal de-escalation,
empathy, and suggest a quiet area. Restraints and codes are for the crisis/aggression phase.
4. The nurse is using verbal de-escalation with an agitated client. Which
communication technique is most effective in this situation?
A. Using short, simple sentences and a low, calm voice.
B. Using ‘Why’ questions to understand the client’s frustration.
C. Speaking in a loud, firm voice to establish authority.
D. Standing directly in front of the client to maintain eye contact.
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients in crisis have difficulty processing complex information. Short sentences
and a calm, non-threatening tone reduce environmental stimulation and prevent
escalation.
5. Which of the following defines the primary goal of crisis intervention?
A. To return the client to at least the pre-crisis level of functioning.
B. To uncover deep-seated childhood traumas influencing current behavior.
C. To achieve personality reconstruction and long-term symptom relief.
D. To provide a permanent support system for the client’s daily life.
Answer: A
Rationale: Crisis intervention is short-term and focused on the immediate problem. The
goal is to restore equilibrium and return to the pre-crisis level of functioning.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client’s perception of a stressful event. Which question
best evaluates this balancing factor?
A. ‘What does this situation mean to you and how will it affect your future?’
B. ‘Who do you usually talk to when you are feeling overwhelmed?’
C. ‘What have you done in the past to help yourself feel better?’
D. ‘Are you currently feeling like you want to harm yourself?’
Answer: A
Rationale: Aguilera’s balancing factors include the perception of the event, situational
supports, and coping mechanisms. Asking what the situation means assesses perception.
7. A nurse identifies that a client is in the ‘recovery phase’ after an aggressive
outburst. What should be the nurse’s primary focus?
A. Assessing the client’s physical status and documenting the incident.
B. Administering a second dose of haloperidol.
C. Immediately returning the client to the general milieu.
D. Engaging the client in a structured debriefing about the triggers.
Answer: A
Rationale: In the recovery phase, the nurse assesses for injuries and documents the event.
Detailed debriefing usually happens in the post-crisis phase once the client is fully calm.
8. During a crisis intervention, the nurse acts as a ‘participant-observer.’ This
role primarily involves:
A. Assuming total responsibility for the client’s decision-making.
B. Observing the client from a distance without interaction.
C. Providing active guidance while remaining an objective professional.
D. Sharing personal crisis experiences to build rapport.
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse in crisis intervention is active and directive, helping the client
navigate the crisis while maintaining professional boundaries and objectivity.
De-escalation Techniques 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a maturational crisis. Which of the
following scenarios best exemplifies this type of crisis?
A. A client losing their home in a sudden forest fire.
B. A client experiencing significant distress after a sudden job termination.
C. A young adult struggling to adapt to the transition of moving away to college.
D. A client being diagnosed with a terminal chronic illness.
Answer: C
Rationale: Maturational crises occur at transition points in normal growth and
development (e.g., leaving home, marriage, retirement). Job loss and diagnosis are
situational, while a fire is adventitious.
2. According to Roberts’ Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model, what is the
nurse’s first priority during the initial assessment?
A. Establish rapport and rapidly create a relationship.
B. Assess for lethality and safety of the client and others.
C. Plan and implement a follow-up schedule.
D. Identify the major problems or crisis precipitants.
Answer: B
Rationale: The first stage of Roberts’ model is to conduct a biopsychosocial and
lethality/safety assessment. Ensuring the client’s safety is always the primary priority.
,3. A client is in the ‘triggering phase’ of the aggression cycle. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Suggest the client go to a quiet area or their room to talk.
B. Place the client in a mechanical restraint for safety.
C. Call a ‘code’ and prepare for physical intervention.
D. Offer the client an as-needed (PRN) sedative medication.
Answer: A
Rationale: During the triggering phase, the nurse should use verbal de-escalation,
empathy, and suggest a quiet area. Restraints and codes are for the crisis/aggression phase.
4. The nurse is using verbal de-escalation with an agitated client. Which
communication technique is most effective in this situation?
A. Using short, simple sentences and a low, calm voice.
B. Using ‘Why’ questions to understand the client’s frustration.
C. Speaking in a loud, firm voice to establish authority.
D. Standing directly in front of the client to maintain eye contact.
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients in crisis have difficulty processing complex information. Short sentences
and a calm, non-threatening tone reduce environmental stimulation and prevent
escalation.
5. Which of the following defines the primary goal of crisis intervention?
A. To return the client to at least the pre-crisis level of functioning.
B. To uncover deep-seated childhood traumas influencing current behavior.
C. To achieve personality reconstruction and long-term symptom relief.
D. To provide a permanent support system for the client’s daily life.
Answer: A
Rationale: Crisis intervention is short-term and focused on the immediate problem. The
goal is to restore equilibrium and return to the pre-crisis level of functioning.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client’s perception of a stressful event. Which question
best evaluates this balancing factor?
A. ‘What does this situation mean to you and how will it affect your future?’
B. ‘Who do you usually talk to when you are feeling overwhelmed?’
C. ‘What have you done in the past to help yourself feel better?’
D. ‘Are you currently feeling like you want to harm yourself?’
Answer: A
Rationale: Aguilera’s balancing factors include the perception of the event, situational
supports, and coping mechanisms. Asking what the situation means assesses perception.
7. A nurse identifies that a client is in the ‘recovery phase’ after an aggressive
outburst. What should be the nurse’s primary focus?
A. Assessing the client’s physical status and documenting the incident.
B. Administering a second dose of haloperidol.
C. Immediately returning the client to the general milieu.
D. Engaging the client in a structured debriefing about the triggers.
Answer: A
Rationale: In the recovery phase, the nurse assesses for injuries and documents the event.
Detailed debriefing usually happens in the post-crisis phase once the client is fully calm.
8. During a crisis intervention, the nurse acts as a ‘participant-observer.’ This
role primarily involves:
A. Assuming total responsibility for the client’s decision-making.
B. Observing the client from a distance without interaction.
C. Providing active guidance while remaining an objective professional.
D. Sharing personal crisis experiences to build rapport.
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse in crisis intervention is active and directive, helping the client
navigate the crisis while maintaining professional boundaries and objectivity.
