UPTP EXAM 2 UPDATED EXAM SCRIPT WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS
◉ Critical Incident Characteristics.
Answer: 1. event outside the range of usual human experience & that
would be markedly distressing to almost anyone
2. fright which includes the element of surprise
3. loss of sense of control
4. disruption of beliefs & value system
◉ Critical Incident Stress.
Answer: stress experienced at any level resulting from exposure to a
critical incident
◉ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Answer: development of characteristic symptoms following a
psychologically distressing event that is outside the range of usual
human experience...duration of disturbance at least one month
◉ PTSD Symptoms.
Answer: problems with concentration & memory, nightmares,
flashbacks, tendency to be easily startled, inability to relax, anxiety,
depression
,◉ Sympathetic Response to Critical Incident Stress.
Answer: dilated pupils, HR & breathing rate increase, blood shanted
away from non-essential organs, blood pumped to skeletal muscles,
myocardium & liver, GI tract slowed down or stopped, body releases
what it does not need, rise in cholesterol (blood clotting agent)
◉ Immediate Physiological Symptoms to Crtitical Incident Stress.
Answer: time distortion (slow-motion, fast-motion) auditory
distortion (diminished sound, intensified sound) visual distortion
(tunnel vision, heightened sense of detail)
◉ Delayed Physiological Responses to Critical Incident Stress.
Answer: behavioral (activity, emotional outbursts, addictive
behavior, appetite), physical (fatigue, headaches, thirst, chest pain),
cognitive (inability to concentrate, nightmares, hyper vigilance),
emotional (anger, anxiety, guilt, denial, depression)
◉ Psychological Effects of Delayed Critical Incident Response.
Answer: denial, isolation, preoccupation with the event, heightened
sensitivity to others' reactions
◉ Coping Strategies to Reduce Critical Incident Exposure.
, Answer: cognitive restructuring, mental rehearsal, mental focus,
rituals or maintaining your schedule
◉ On-scene Techniques to Reduce Critical Incident Stress.
Answer: talk to officers coming off scene, prepare yourself for what
you might see, hear, and smell
◉ Post-Incident Techniques to Reduce Critical Incident Stress.
Answer: accept feelings as normal, know you have choices, examine
thoughts, attend agency-sponsored debriefings, encourage peers to
discuss, share openly with trusted person, seek professional
assistance, do not drink alcohol, exercise
◉ Crisis Incident.
Answer: an extraordinary event, either caused by human or natural
phenomena, which may require the response of multiple emergency
personnel to prevent loss of life, damage to property, and protection
of the environment
◉ NIMS.
Answer: National Incident Management System - created by
Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 - consistent nationwide
template to enable all government, private-sector, & non-
governmental organizations to work together during domestic
incidents
COMPLETE ANSWERS
◉ Critical Incident Characteristics.
Answer: 1. event outside the range of usual human experience & that
would be markedly distressing to almost anyone
2. fright which includes the element of surprise
3. loss of sense of control
4. disruption of beliefs & value system
◉ Critical Incident Stress.
Answer: stress experienced at any level resulting from exposure to a
critical incident
◉ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Answer: development of characteristic symptoms following a
psychologically distressing event that is outside the range of usual
human experience...duration of disturbance at least one month
◉ PTSD Symptoms.
Answer: problems with concentration & memory, nightmares,
flashbacks, tendency to be easily startled, inability to relax, anxiety,
depression
,◉ Sympathetic Response to Critical Incident Stress.
Answer: dilated pupils, HR & breathing rate increase, blood shanted
away from non-essential organs, blood pumped to skeletal muscles,
myocardium & liver, GI tract slowed down or stopped, body releases
what it does not need, rise in cholesterol (blood clotting agent)
◉ Immediate Physiological Symptoms to Crtitical Incident Stress.
Answer: time distortion (slow-motion, fast-motion) auditory
distortion (diminished sound, intensified sound) visual distortion
(tunnel vision, heightened sense of detail)
◉ Delayed Physiological Responses to Critical Incident Stress.
Answer: behavioral (activity, emotional outbursts, addictive
behavior, appetite), physical (fatigue, headaches, thirst, chest pain),
cognitive (inability to concentrate, nightmares, hyper vigilance),
emotional (anger, anxiety, guilt, denial, depression)
◉ Psychological Effects of Delayed Critical Incident Response.
Answer: denial, isolation, preoccupation with the event, heightened
sensitivity to others' reactions
◉ Coping Strategies to Reduce Critical Incident Exposure.
, Answer: cognitive restructuring, mental rehearsal, mental focus,
rituals or maintaining your schedule
◉ On-scene Techniques to Reduce Critical Incident Stress.
Answer: talk to officers coming off scene, prepare yourself for what
you might see, hear, and smell
◉ Post-Incident Techniques to Reduce Critical Incident Stress.
Answer: accept feelings as normal, know you have choices, examine
thoughts, attend agency-sponsored debriefings, encourage peers to
discuss, share openly with trusted person, seek professional
assistance, do not drink alcohol, exercise
◉ Crisis Incident.
Answer: an extraordinary event, either caused by human or natural
phenomena, which may require the response of multiple emergency
personnel to prevent loss of life, damage to property, and protection
of the environment
◉ NIMS.
Answer: National Incident Management System - created by
Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 - consistent nationwide
template to enable all government, private-sector, & non-
governmental organizations to work together during domestic
incidents
