NRNP 6645 Psychotherapy with
Individuals and Families
Midterm Examination, Walden
University
EXAM
This document covers the NRNP 6645 Psychotherapy with Individuals and
Families Midterm Examination for the 2026/2027 academic year in the Walden
University Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. It includes 75
multiple-choice and scenario-based exam questions with detailed rationales
aligned with NONPF Core Competencies and AACN Essentials (2021). The
material supports exam preparation by reinforcing psychotherapy theories,
therapeutic communication, family systems approaches, psychiatric assessment,
cultural considerations, ethical practice, crisis intervention, and evidence-based
mental health treatment planning for individuals and families.
Section 1: Foundational Psychotherapy Theories & Key Figures
(Questions 1–10)
1. Which theorist is credited with developing client-centered
therapy?
A) B.F. Skinner
B) Carl Rogers
C) Aaron Beck
D) Albert Ellis
,Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Carl Rogers developed client-centered (person-centered)
therapy, emphasizing three core conditions for therapeutic change:
unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence.
2. In classical psychoanalysis, the part of the personality that
operates on the reality principle is the:
A) Id
B) Ego
C) Superego
D) Collective unconscious
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The ego mediates between the id (pleasure principle) and
reality, operating on the reality principle to help the individual adapt to
the external world.
3. Hildegard Peplau developed the psychodynamic interpersonal
model for psychiatric nursing based on which theorist's framework?
A) Eric Erikson
B) Sigmund Freud
C) Margaret Mahler
D) Harry Stack Sullivan
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: D
Rationale: Peplau's interpersonal model is significantly influenced by
,Sullivan's theory of interpersonal relations, which emphasizes the role of
social and interpersonal factors in personality development.
4. What distinguishes psychoanalytic therapy from other types of
therapies?
A) The focus on problem-solving
B) The focus on irrational thoughts
C) The focus on dreams and wishes
D) The deep analysis of the patient's relationship with the therapist
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: D
Rationale: While other therapies may address thoughts or behaviors,
psychoanalysis uniquely emphasizes the therapeutic relationship,
including transference and countertransference, to uncover unconscious
conflicts.
5. The concept of "holism" in humanistic-existential therapy means:
A) Treating symptoms in isolation
B) The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
C) Focusing only on physical health
D) Using medication as first-line treatment
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Holism in humanistic-existential therapy emphasizes that a
person must be understood as a unified whole (mind, body, spirit), not as
separate parts. This perspective rejects reductionism.
, 6. A patient being treated with supportive psychodynamic
psychotherapy has been missing sessions and coming late. The
advanced practice psychiatric nurse recognizes this behavior as
which of the following?
A) A sign the patient has met goals
B) The patient is ready to talk about termination
C) Avoidance
D) The patient is bored
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: In psychodynamic therapy, missing sessions or arriving late
is often a manifestation of avoidance. The patient may be unconsciously
trying to evade distressing emotions, memories, or topics that arise in
therapy.
7. A therapist noticing they feel overly protective of a patient who
reminds them of their own child is experiencing:
A) Transference
B) Countertransference
C) Empathy
D) Insight
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Countertransference is the therapist's emotional reaction to
the patient based on the therapist's own unconscious issues, past
Individuals and Families
Midterm Examination, Walden
University
EXAM
This document covers the NRNP 6645 Psychotherapy with Individuals and
Families Midterm Examination for the 2026/2027 academic year in the Walden
University Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. It includes 75
multiple-choice and scenario-based exam questions with detailed rationales
aligned with NONPF Core Competencies and AACN Essentials (2021). The
material supports exam preparation by reinforcing psychotherapy theories,
therapeutic communication, family systems approaches, psychiatric assessment,
cultural considerations, ethical practice, crisis intervention, and evidence-based
mental health treatment planning for individuals and families.
Section 1: Foundational Psychotherapy Theories & Key Figures
(Questions 1–10)
1. Which theorist is credited with developing client-centered
therapy?
A) B.F. Skinner
B) Carl Rogers
C) Aaron Beck
D) Albert Ellis
,Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Carl Rogers developed client-centered (person-centered)
therapy, emphasizing three core conditions for therapeutic change:
unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence.
2. In classical psychoanalysis, the part of the personality that
operates on the reality principle is the:
A) Id
B) Ego
C) Superego
D) Collective unconscious
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The ego mediates between the id (pleasure principle) and
reality, operating on the reality principle to help the individual adapt to
the external world.
3. Hildegard Peplau developed the psychodynamic interpersonal
model for psychiatric nursing based on which theorist's framework?
A) Eric Erikson
B) Sigmund Freud
C) Margaret Mahler
D) Harry Stack Sullivan
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: D
Rationale: Peplau's interpersonal model is significantly influenced by
,Sullivan's theory of interpersonal relations, which emphasizes the role of
social and interpersonal factors in personality development.
4. What distinguishes psychoanalytic therapy from other types of
therapies?
A) The focus on problem-solving
B) The focus on irrational thoughts
C) The focus on dreams and wishes
D) The deep analysis of the patient's relationship with the therapist
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: D
Rationale: While other therapies may address thoughts or behaviors,
psychoanalysis uniquely emphasizes the therapeutic relationship,
including transference and countertransference, to uncover unconscious
conflicts.
5. The concept of "holism" in humanistic-existential therapy means:
A) Treating symptoms in isolation
B) The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
C) Focusing only on physical health
D) Using medication as first-line treatment
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Holism in humanistic-existential therapy emphasizes that a
person must be understood as a unified whole (mind, body, spirit), not as
separate parts. This perspective rejects reductionism.
, 6. A patient being treated with supportive psychodynamic
psychotherapy has been missing sessions and coming late. The
advanced practice psychiatric nurse recognizes this behavior as
which of the following?
A) A sign the patient has met goals
B) The patient is ready to talk about termination
C) Avoidance
D) The patient is bored
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: In psychodynamic therapy, missing sessions or arriving late
is often a manifestation of avoidance. The patient may be unconsciously
trying to evade distressing emotions, memories, or topics that arise in
therapy.
7. A therapist noticing they feel overly protective of a patient who
reminds them of their own child is experiencing:
A) Transference
B) Countertransference
C) Empathy
D) Insight
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Countertransference is the therapist's emotional reaction to
the patient based on the therapist's own unconscious issues, past
