Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) Practice Exam

What should a music therapist do first if an infant shows signs of distress during auditory stimulation?

1. Call the nurse

2. Rock the infant

3. Stop the humming

4. Sing a lullaby

The correct answer is: Stop the humming

When an infant shows signs of distress during auditory stimulation, the most appropriate immediate response is to stop the humming. This action directly addresses the source of the distress, as continued exposure to the sound may exacerbate the infant's unease. By halting the auditory stimulation, the therapist provides the infant with an opportunity to regain composure and assess the situation more effectively. While other responses such as calling a nurse, rocking the infant, or singing a lullaby may be suitable actions to take subsequently to comfort or soothe the infant, the priority is to mitigate the distress by removing the initial stressor. Stopping the auditory stimulus creates a calm environment, which is crucial for the infant’s emotional well-being and sensory processing.