Which statement about the acute phase is accurate?

• A. It begins immediately after crisis
• B. It lasts for years
• C. It is not a recognized phase
• D. It involves only physical injuries

Answer: (A)

The acute phase is the immediate aftermath of a crisis event. Right after the crisis, people tend to experience shock, numbness, confusion, and heightened emotional or physiological arousal as they begin to process what happened. This period is focused on stabilization and safety, and it is typically short, lasting hours to days or weeks depending on the person and situation. So the statement that it begins immediately after crisis is accurate.

It isn’t a phase that lasts for years, which makes that choice incorrect. It’s also a recognized part of crisis response, so saying it isn’t a recognized phase wouldn’t fit. And it involves more than just physical injuries—the emotional, cognitive, and psychological responses are central during this time.