After a natural disaster occurred, an emergency worker referred a family for crisis intervention services. One family member refused to attend the services, stating, "No way, I'm not crazy." What is the nurse's best response?
a. "Many times disasters can create mental health problems, so you really should participate with your family."
b. "Seeking this kind of help does not mean that you have a mental illness; it is a short-term problem-solving technique."
c. "Don't worry now. The psychiatrists are well trained to help."
d. "This will help your family communicate better."
ANS: B
Crisis intervention is a type of brief therapy that is more directive than traditional psychotherapy or counseling. It focuses on problem solving and involves only the problem created by the crisis. The other options do not properly reassure the patient and build trust. Giving advice in the form of "you really should participate" is inappropriate. "Don't worry now" is false reassurance. While crisis intervention may help families communicate better, the goal is to return to precrisis level of functioning; family therapy will focus on helping families communicate better.
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