Question 1

While conducting the initial interview with a patient in crisis, the nurse should

Accepted Answer

Severe anxiety narrows perceptions and concentration. By speaking in short concise sentences, the nurse enables the patient to grasp what is being said. Conveying urgency will increase the patient's anxiety. Letting the patient know who controls the interview or stating that time is limited is nontherapeutic.

Question 2

Which situation demonstrates use of primary intervention related to crisis?

Accepted Answer

Primary care-related crisis intervention promotes mental health and reduces mental illness. The incorrect options are examples of secondary or tertiary interventions.

Question 3

Six months ago, a woman had a prophylactic double mastectomy because of a family history of breast cancer. One week ago, this woman learned her husband was involved in an extramarital affair. The woman tearfully says to the nurse, "What else can happen?" What type of crisis is this person experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Severe physical or mental illness is a potential cause of a situational crisis. The potential loss of a loved one also serves as a potential cause of a situational crisis. Maturational crisis occurs as an individual arrives at a new stage of development, when old coping styles may be ineffective. No classification of recurring crisis exists. Mitigation refers to attempts to limit a disaster's impact on human health and community function.

Question 4

After celebrating the fortieth birthday, an individual becomes concerned with the loss of youthful appearance. What type of crisis has occurred?

Accepted Answer

Maturational crises occur when a person arrives at a new stage of development and finds that old coping styles are ineffective but has not yet developed new strategies. Situational crises arise from sources external to the individual. "Reactive" and "body image" are not types of crisis.

Question 5

A victim of intimate partner violence comes to the crisis center seeking help. Crisis intervention strategies the nurse applies will focus on

Accepted Answer

Strategies of crisis intervention address the immediate cause of the crisis and restoration of emotional security and equilibrium. The goal is to return the individual to the precrisis level of function. Crisis intervention is, by definition, short term. The correct response is the most global answer. Promoting growth is a focus of long-term therapy. Providing legal assistance might or might not be applicable.

Question 6

A woman says, "I can't take anymore. Last year my husband had an affair and now we do not communicate. Three months ago, I found a lump in my breast. Yesterday my daughter said she's quitting college and moving in with her boyfriend." Which issue should the nurse focus on during crisis intervention?

Accepted Answer

The focus of crisis intervention is on the most recent problem: "the straw that broke the camel's back." The patient had coped with the breast lesion, the husband's infidelity, and the disordered communication. Disequilibrium occurred only with the introduction of the daughter leaving college and moving.

Question 7

A patient is seen in the clinic for superficial cuts on both wrists. Initially the patient paces and sobs but after a few minutes, the patient is calmer. The nurse attempts to determine the patient's perception of the precipitating event by asking:

Accepted Answer

A clear definition of the immediate problem provides the best opportunity to find a solution. Asking about recent upsetting events facilitates assessment of the precipitating event. The patient is unlikely to be able to articulate what interventions will increase feelings of comfort. "Why" questions are nontherapeutic.

Question 8

An adult seeks counseling after the spouse was murdered. The adult angrily says, "I hate the beast that did this. It has ruined my life. During the trial, I don't know what I'll do if the jury doesn't return a guilty verdict." What is the nurse's highest priority response?

Accepted Answer

The highest nursing priority is safety. The nurse should assess suicidal and homicidal potential. The distracters are options, but the highest priority is safety.

Question 9

Which scenario is an example of a situational crisis?

Accepted Answer

The rock concert riot is unplanned, accidental, violent, and not a part of everyday life. The incorrect options are examples of maturational crises.

Question 10

A patient comes to the crisis center saying, "I'm in a terrible situation. I don't know what to do." The triage nurse can initially assume that the patient is

Accepted Answer

Individuals in crisis are universally anxious. They are often frightened and may be mildly confused. Perceptions are often narrowed with anxiety.

Question 11

An adult has cared for a debilitated parent for 10 years. The health care provider recently recommended transfer of the parent to a skilled nursing facility. The adult says, "I've always been able to care for my parents. Nursing home placement goes against everything I believe." Successful resolution of this adult's crisis will most closely relate to

Accepted Answer

The adult's crisis clearly relates to a loss of (or threatened change in) self-concept. Her capacity to care for her parents, regardless of the parent's condition, has been challenged. Crisis resolution will involve coming to terms with the feelings associated with this loss. Identifying situational supports is relevant, but less so than coming to terms with the threat to self-concept. Reliance on lessons from role models can be helpful but not the primary factor associated with resolution in this case. Automatic relief behaviors include withdrawal or flight and will not be helpful. Automatic relief behaviors are part of the third phase of crisis.

Question 12

During the initial interview at the crisis center, a patient says, "I've been served with divorce papers. I'm so upset and anxious that I can't think clearly." Which comment should the nurse use to assess personal coping skills?

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is the only option that assesses coping skills. The incorrect options are concerned with self-esteem, ask the patient to decide on treatment at a time when he or she "cannot think clearly," and seek to explore issues tangential to the crisis.

Question 13

Which communication technique will the nurse use more in crisis intervention than traditional counseling?

Accepted Answer

The nurse working in crisis intervention must be creative and flexible in looking at the patient's situation and suggesting possible solutions to the patient. Giving direction is part of the active role a crisis intervention therapist takes. The other options are used equally in crisis intervention and traditional counseling roles.

Question 14

Six months ago, a woman had a prophylactic double mastectomy because of a family history of breast cancer. One week ago, this woman learned her husband was involved in an extramarital affair. The woman says tearfully, "What else can happen?" If the woman's immediate family is unable to provide sufficient support, the nurse should

Accepted Answer

The assessment of situational supports should continue. Even though the patient's nuclear family may not be supportive, other situational supports may be available. If they are adequate, admission to an inpatient unit will be unnecessary. Psychotherapy is not appropriate for crisis intervention. Advice is usually nontherapeutic.

Question 15

A student falsely accused a college professor of sexual intimidation. The professor tells the nurse, "I cannot teach nor do any research. My mind is totally preoccupied with these false accusations." What is the priority nursing diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Ineffective coping may be evidenced by inability to meet basic needs, inability to meet role expectations. This nursing diagnosis is the priority because it reflects the consequences of the precipitating event associated with the professor's crisis. There is no evidence of denial. Deficient knowledge may apply, but it is not the priority. Data are not present to diagnose impaired social interaction.

Question 16

An adolescent comes to the crisis clinic and reports sexual abuse by an uncle. The adolescent told both parents about the uncle's behavior, but the parents did not believe the adolescent. What type of crisis exists?

Accepted Answer

A situational crisis arises from events that are extraordinary, external rather than internal, and often unanticipated. Sexual molestation falls within this classification. Maturational crisis occurs as an individual arrives at a new stage of development, when old coping styles may be ineffective. "Organic" and "Tertiary" are not types of crisis.

Question 17

A woman said, "I can't take anymore! Last year my husband had an affair and now we don't communicate. Three months ago, I found a lump in my breast. Yesterday my daughter said she's quitting college." What is the nurse's priority assessment?

Accepted Answer

During crisis intervention, the priority concern is patient safety. This question helps assess personal coping skills. The other options are incorrect because the focus of crisis intervention is on the event that occurred immediately before the patient sought help.

Question 18

A patient comes to the crisis clinic after an unexpected job termination. The patient paces, sobs, cringes when approached, and responds to questions with only shrugs or monosyllables. Choose the nurse's best initial comment to this patient.

Accepted Answer

A crisis exists for this patient. The two primary thrusts of crisis intervention are to provide for the safety of the individual and use anxiety-reduction techniques to facilitate use of inner resources. The nurse offers therapeutic presence, which provides caring, ongoing observation relative to the patient's safety, and interpersonal reassurance.

Question 19

Which agency provides coordination in the event of a terrorist attack?

Accepted Answer

The NIMS provides a systematic approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector during disaster situations.

Question 20

A patient who is visiting the crisis clinic for the first time asks, "How long will I be coming here?" The nurse's reply should consider that the usual duration of crisis intervention is

Accepted Answer

The disorganization associated with crisis is so distressing that it usually cannot be tolerated for more than 4 to 6 weeks. If it is not resolved by that time, the individual usually adopts dysfunctional behaviors that reduce anxiety without solving the problem. Crisis intervention can shorten the duration.

Quiz 26: Crisis and Disaster