Critical Incident Stress Debriefing is associated with which level of nursing care?

• A. Tertiary
• B. Primary
• C. Secondary
• D. Quaternary

Answer: (D)

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing is a highly specialized, post-crisis intervention aimed at preventing longer-term psychological harm after exposure to a traumatic event. In nursing and public health frameworks, care levels progress from broad prevention to immediate crisis response to rehabilitation, with a separate, advanced tier that addresses preventing harm from over- or inappropriate interventions and delivering targeted, high-level support. CISD fits this advanced tier because it is not just a routine prevention activity, nor a standard in-the-make crisis response, nor long-term rehabilitation. It’s a structured, specialized process used after a critical incident to avert subsequent distress and complications, aligning with quaternary care.