THERAPEUTIC CRISIS INTERVENTION
(TCI) 7TH EDITION –QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
1. According to TCI 7th Edition, a crisis is defined as:
A. Any aggressive behavior by a child
B. An opportunity for learning and growth
C. A time when the child loses control completely
D. A reason to call law enforcement
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: TCI views crisis not as a disaster but as a teachable moment and
opportunity for growth. Aggression (A) may occur but is not the definition. Complete
loss of control (C) is one possible outcome. Law enforcement (D) is rarely the goal.
2. What is the primary goal of TCI?
A. To restrain all aggressive children
B. To teach children self-regulation and prevent crisis
C. To punish challenging behavior
D. To remove children from the program
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The primary goal is prevention and teaching self-regulation. Restraint (A)
is a last resort. Punishment (D) is not therapeutic.
,3. Which of the following is a setting condition?
A. A child's personality disorder
B. Anything that makes a crisis more or less likely to occur
C. The child's age
D. The time of day
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Setting conditions are environmental, relational, or physiological factors
that increase or decrease crisis likelihood (e.g., hunger, fatigue, staff mood, noise).
The others are too narrow or specific.
4. During a co-regulation response, the staff member should:
A. Yell commands to be heard
B. Maintain a calm, neutral facial expression
C. Turn their back to the child
D. Walk away to let the child cool down alone
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Co-regulation requires calm demeanor, neutral expression, low tone,
and supportive presence. Yelling (A) escalates. Turning your back (C) signals
rejection. Walking away (D) may be abandonment.
5. The Stress Model of Crisis includes which three phases?
A. Baseline, escalation, recovery
B. Trigger, explosion, sleep
C. Anger, verbal aggression, physical aggression
D. Denial, anger, acceptance
Correct ,,,answer,,,: A
Rationale: The TCI Stress Model includes: baseline (calm), triggering event,
escalation, crisis (outburst), and recovery. The other options are not from TCI.
,6. A child is pacing, clenching fists, and speaking loudly. This is likely which stage?
A. Baseline
B. Escalation (Agitation)
C. Crisis
D. Recovery
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Escalation stage involves increased tension and agitation (pacing,
clenching fists). Crisis (C) is loss of control. Recovery (D) is returning to calm.
Baseline (A) is calm.
7. The first step in a crisis intervention is:
A. Physical restraint
B. Calling the police
C. Assess for safety (self, child, others)
D. Document the incident
Correct ,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: Safety assessment is always first. Restraint (A) is later, if needed. Police
(B) is rare. Documentation (D) comes after.
8. What does the acronym ACT stand for in TCI?
A. Assess, Connect, Teach
B. Act, Control, Teach
C. Assess, Calm, Talk
D. Ask, Call, Tell
Correct ,,,answer,,,: A
Rationale: ACT = Assess (safety/emotions), Connect (relationship/reassurance),
Teach (new coping skills). This is the TCI 7th Edition crisis intervention framework.
9. During the Life Space Interview (LSI) , the first step is:
A. Discuss consequences
, B. I – Isolate the child
C. T – Talk about the behavior
D. E – Explore the child's feelings
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The LSI steps include: I (Isolate the conversation), C (Connect feelings),
T (Talk about behavior), E (Explore alternatives), R (Return to activity). Isolate
means find a private, safe space.
10. A child is in crisis and attempting to hit staff. Which is the least restrictive
intervention?
A. Physical restraint
B. Verbal de-escalation
C. Seclusion
D. Calling police
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Least restrictive = verbal de-escalation first. Restraint (A) and seclusion
(C) are more restrictive. Police (D) is last resort.
11. A child's baseline behavior is calm and cooperative. A sudden change to
irritable and withdrawn suggests:
A. The child is manipulative
B. A potential setting condition or trigger
C. The child needs medication
D. The staff should ignore it
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Baseline changes signal possible triggers or unmet needs. Manipulation
(A) is a judgment. Medication (D) is not first step. Ignoring (D) misses opportunity.
12. Which of the following is a non-verbal de-escalation technique?
A. Open palms and relaxed posture
(TCI) 7TH EDITION –QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
1. According to TCI 7th Edition, a crisis is defined as:
A. Any aggressive behavior by a child
B. An opportunity for learning and growth
C. A time when the child loses control completely
D. A reason to call law enforcement
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: TCI views crisis not as a disaster but as a teachable moment and
opportunity for growth. Aggression (A) may occur but is not the definition. Complete
loss of control (C) is one possible outcome. Law enforcement (D) is rarely the goal.
2. What is the primary goal of TCI?
A. To restrain all aggressive children
B. To teach children self-regulation and prevent crisis
C. To punish challenging behavior
D. To remove children from the program
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The primary goal is prevention and teaching self-regulation. Restraint (A)
is a last resort. Punishment (D) is not therapeutic.
,3. Which of the following is a setting condition?
A. A child's personality disorder
B. Anything that makes a crisis more or less likely to occur
C. The child's age
D. The time of day
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Setting conditions are environmental, relational, or physiological factors
that increase or decrease crisis likelihood (e.g., hunger, fatigue, staff mood, noise).
The others are too narrow or specific.
4. During a co-regulation response, the staff member should:
A. Yell commands to be heard
B. Maintain a calm, neutral facial expression
C. Turn their back to the child
D. Walk away to let the child cool down alone
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Co-regulation requires calm demeanor, neutral expression, low tone,
and supportive presence. Yelling (A) escalates. Turning your back (C) signals
rejection. Walking away (D) may be abandonment.
5. The Stress Model of Crisis includes which three phases?
A. Baseline, escalation, recovery
B. Trigger, explosion, sleep
C. Anger, verbal aggression, physical aggression
D. Denial, anger, acceptance
Correct ,,,answer,,,: A
Rationale: The TCI Stress Model includes: baseline (calm), triggering event,
escalation, crisis (outburst), and recovery. The other options are not from TCI.
,6. A child is pacing, clenching fists, and speaking loudly. This is likely which stage?
A. Baseline
B. Escalation (Agitation)
C. Crisis
D. Recovery
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Escalation stage involves increased tension and agitation (pacing,
clenching fists). Crisis (C) is loss of control. Recovery (D) is returning to calm.
Baseline (A) is calm.
7. The first step in a crisis intervention is:
A. Physical restraint
B. Calling the police
C. Assess for safety (self, child, others)
D. Document the incident
Correct ,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: Safety assessment is always first. Restraint (A) is later, if needed. Police
(B) is rare. Documentation (D) comes after.
8. What does the acronym ACT stand for in TCI?
A. Assess, Connect, Teach
B. Act, Control, Teach
C. Assess, Calm, Talk
D. Ask, Call, Tell
Correct ,,,answer,,,: A
Rationale: ACT = Assess (safety/emotions), Connect (relationship/reassurance),
Teach (new coping skills). This is the TCI 7th Edition crisis intervention framework.
9. During the Life Space Interview (LSI) , the first step is:
A. Discuss consequences
, B. I – Isolate the child
C. T – Talk about the behavior
D. E – Explore the child's feelings
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The LSI steps include: I (Isolate the conversation), C (Connect feelings),
T (Talk about behavior), E (Explore alternatives), R (Return to activity). Isolate
means find a private, safe space.
10. A child is in crisis and attempting to hit staff. Which is the least restrictive
intervention?
A. Physical restraint
B. Verbal de-escalation
C. Seclusion
D. Calling police
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Least restrictive = verbal de-escalation first. Restraint (A) and seclusion
(C) are more restrictive. Police (D) is last resort.
11. A child's baseline behavior is calm and cooperative. A sudden change to
irritable and withdrawn suggests:
A. The child is manipulative
B. A potential setting condition or trigger
C. The child needs medication
D. The staff should ignore it
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Baseline changes signal possible triggers or unmet needs. Manipulation
(A) is a judgment. Medication (D) is not first step. Ignoring (D) misses opportunity.
12. Which of the following is a non-verbal de-escalation technique?
A. Open palms and relaxed posture
