Chapter 9- Crisis Intervention

Question 1

crisis definition

Answer 1

a sudden event in one’s life that disturbs homeostasis, during which usual coping mechanisms cannot resolve the problem

Question 2

crisis phases

Answer 2

1. exposure, anxiety increases
2. previous coping techniques do not work
3. all possible resources all called upon
4. the tension mounts beyond a further threshold panic anxiety occurs, psychotic behavior

Question 3

types of crisis

Answer 3

1. dispositional
2. anticipated life transitions
3. resulting from traumatic stress
4. maturation and developmental
5. crisis reflecting psychopathy
6. psychiatric emergencies

Question 4

dispositional crises

Answer 4

an acute response to an external stressor
example: domestic abuse, mother leaves with baby
RN interv: physical care as needed, empower pt to clarify needs

Question 5

crises of anticipated life events

Answer 5

normal life-cycle transitions but the individual feels lack of control
example: unable to cope with loss of job and father role
RN interv: encourage feeling expression, discuss approaches to change

Question 6

crises resulting from traumatic stress

Answer 6

unexpected external stressor
example: abducted one day after work, months later cannot eat or sleep
RN interv: discuss stages of grief, encourage expression of feelings, identify support systems

Question 7

maturational and developmental crises

Answer 7

occur in response to failed attempts to master developmental tasks associated with life transitions
example: mom believes she is unfit to be a good mom
RN interv: anxiety reduction

Question 8

crises reflecting psychopathy

Answer 8

influenced by triggering pre-existing psychopathy
example: pt with bipolar is told her therapist of many years is moving, she wanders onto a busy highway
RN interv: reduce anxiety, discourage repressive behaviors, positive reinforcement

Question 9

psychiatric emergencies

Answer 9

general functioning has been severely impaired
example: overdose
RN interv: emergency medical care (initiate gastric lavage, maintain airway, monitor vitals), inpatient care to follow

Question 10

minimum therapeutic goal of crisis intervention

Answer 10

resolution of the individual’s immediate crisis and restoration to at least the level of functioning that existed before the crisis period

Question 11

ideal goal of crisis intervention

Answer 11

improvement in functioning above the precrisis level

Question 12

anger

Answer 12

often a secondary emotion
signs: clenched fists, angry expression, hypersensitivity, intense eye contact, avoidance of eye contact

Question 13

aggression

Answer 13

behaviors that are mild, moderate, or extreme
signs: pacing, threatening, shouting, panic anxiety, suspicion, destruction of property, physical harm

Question 14

reactive aggression

Answer 14

fear-based and impulsive

Question 15

proactive aggression

Answer 15

predatory and calculated
intent

Question 16

risk factors for aggression

Answer 16

1. past history of violence
2. client diagnosis
3. current behavior

Question 17

broset violence checklist

Answer 17

confusion
irritable
boisterous
verbal threats
physical threats
attacking objects
score of 3+= very high risk for violence

Question 18

disaster

Answer 18

threatens the safety of the community environment
often associated w spiritual distress

Question 19

simple deescalation

Answer 19

1. safety
2. space
3. give choices

Question 20

prodromal syndrome

Answer 20

increasing tension and anxiety
tone and volume increases
start de-escalation ASAP