Chapter 12. Crisis Intervention
Multiple Choice
1. A mother is concerned about her ability to perform in her new role. She is quite
anxious and refuses to leave the postpartum unit. To offer effective client care, a nurse
should recognize which information about this type of crisis?
A. This type of crisis is precipitated by unexpected external stressors. B. This type of
crisis is precipitated by preexisting psychopathology.
C. This type of crisis is precipitated by an acute response to an external situational
stressor.
D. This type of crisis is precipitated by normal life-cycle transitions that overwhelm the
client.
ANS: D
The nurse should understand that this type of crisis is precipitated by normal life-cycle
transitions that overwhelm the client. Reassurance and guidance should be provided
as needed, and the client should be referred to services that can provide assistance.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Planning |
Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
2. A wife brings her husband to an emergency department after an attempt to hang
himself. He is a full-time student and works 8 hours at night to support his family. He
states, I cant function any longer under all this stress. Which type of crisis is the client
experiencing?
, A. Maturational/developmental crisis
B. Psychiatric emergency crisis
C. Anticipated life transition crisis
D. Traumatic stress crisis
ANS: B
The nurse should determine that the client is experiencing a psychiatric emergency
crisis. Psychiatric emergencies occur when crisis situations result in severe
impairment, incompetence, or inability to assume personal responsibility.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment |Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
3. A client comes to a psychiatric clinic, experiencing sudden extreme fatigue and
decreased sleep and appetite. The client works 12 hours a day and rates anxiety as
8/10 on a numeric scale. What correctly written long-term outcome is realistic in
addressing this clients crisis?
A. The client will change his or her type A personality traits to more adaptive ones by
week 1. B. The client will list five positive self-attributes.
C. The client will examine how childhood events led to an overachieving orientation. D.
The client will return to previous adaptive levels of functioning by week 6.
ANS: D
Multiple Choice
1. A mother is concerned about her ability to perform in her new role. She is quite
anxious and refuses to leave the postpartum unit. To offer effective client care, a nurse
should recognize which information about this type of crisis?
A. This type of crisis is precipitated by unexpected external stressors. B. This type of
crisis is precipitated by preexisting psychopathology.
C. This type of crisis is precipitated by an acute response to an external situational
stressor.
D. This type of crisis is precipitated by normal life-cycle transitions that overwhelm the
client.
ANS: D
The nurse should understand that this type of crisis is precipitated by normal life-cycle
transitions that overwhelm the client. Reassurance and guidance should be provided
as needed, and the client should be referred to services that can provide assistance.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Planning |
Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
2. A wife brings her husband to an emergency department after an attempt to hang
himself. He is a full-time student and works 8 hours at night to support his family. He
states, I cant function any longer under all this stress. Which type of crisis is the client
experiencing?
, A. Maturational/developmental crisis
B. Psychiatric emergency crisis
C. Anticipated life transition crisis
D. Traumatic stress crisis
ANS: B
The nurse should determine that the client is experiencing a psychiatric emergency
crisis. Psychiatric emergencies occur when crisis situations result in severe
impairment, incompetence, or inability to assume personal responsibility.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment |Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
3. A client comes to a psychiatric clinic, experiencing sudden extreme fatigue and
decreased sleep and appetite. The client works 12 hours a day and rates anxiety as
8/10 on a numeric scale. What correctly written long-term outcome is realistic in
addressing this clients crisis?
A. The client will change his or her type A personality traits to more adaptive ones by
week 1. B. The client will list five positive self-attributes.
C. The client will examine how childhood events led to an overachieving orientation. D.
The client will return to previous adaptive levels of functioning by week 6.
ANS: D
