What term describes a situation in which there is imminent risk of physical harm to a client or others?

• A. Crisis
• B. Emergency
• C. Incident
• D. Alarm

Answer: (A)

When there is imminent risk of physical harm to a client or others, the situation is described as a crisis. This label signals that danger is about to occur and requires rapid, safety-focused action and de-escalation, often guided by a crisis intervention plan and supervisor oversight. An emergency covers urgent situations in general that demand immediate action to prevent harm, but it is broader and not limited to imminent danger. An incident refers to an event or occurrence that may or may not involve immediate danger, and an alarm is simply a signal or alert, not a description of risk level. For example, if a client is about to strike or run into a dangerous area, that is treated as a crisis to prompt swift protective responses.