WALDEN UNIVERSITY NRNP 6645/NRNP
6645 – Psychotherapy Exam Questions
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
What is the primary goal of psychotherapy?
A. Prescribe medication
B. Promote emotional, behavioral, and psychological well-being
C. Diagnose medical illnesses only
D. Eliminate all emotional distress immediately
Correct Answer: B. Promote emotional, behavioral, and psychological well-being
Rationale: Psychotherapy helps individuals improve emotional functioning,
develop healthier coping skills, and address behavioral or psychological concerns.
Medication management may complement psychotherapy but is not its primary
goal.
Question 2
Which characteristic is most essential for establishing a therapeutic relationship?
A. Sympathy
B. Trust
C. Authority
D. Persuasion
Correct Answer: B. Trust
,Rationale: Trust forms the foundation of the therapeutic relationship. Clients are
more likely to disclose personal information and actively participate in therapy
when trust is established.
Question 3
What is the purpose of informed consent before beginning psychotherapy?
A. Guarantee successful treatment
B. Explain the risks, benefits, and expectations of therapy
C. Diagnose the client's condition
D. Establish a medication plan
Correct Answer: B. Explain the risks, benefits, and expectations of therapy
Rationale: Informed consent ensures clients understand the therapy process,
confidentiality, potential risks, benefits, alternatives, and their rights before
treatment begins.
Question 4
Confidentiality in psychotherapy may legally be broken when:
A. A client disagrees with treatment
B. A client misses appointments
C. A client presents an imminent danger to self or others
D. A client requests a different therapist
Correct Answer: C. A client presents an imminent danger to self or others
Rationale: Confidentiality is fundamental but has legal exceptions, including
imminent risk of harm, suspected abuse in many jurisdictions, or court orders.
Question 5
Which communication technique encourages a client to continue talking?
,A. Giving advice
B. Asking leading questions
C. Using open-ended questions
D. Changing the subject
Correct Answer: C. Using open-ended questions
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage clients to explore thoughts and
feelings in greater depth.
Question 6
Active listening primarily involves:
A. Interrupting frequently
B. Focusing completely on the client's communication
C. Providing immediate solutions
D. Avoiding eye contact
Correct Answer: B. Focusing completely on the client's communication
Rationale: Active listening includes attentive verbal and nonverbal behaviors that
demonstrate understanding and encourage communication.
Question 7
Which response demonstrates empathy?
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
B. "You shouldn't feel that way."
C. "It sounds like this situation has been very difficult for you."
D. "Everything will be fine."
Correct Answer: C. "It sounds like this situation has been very difficult for you."
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges and validates the client's emotional experience
without assuming identical feelings.
, Question 8
The therapeutic alliance refers to:
A. A medication agreement
B. Collaboration between therapist and client
C. Insurance approval
D. Family participation
Correct Answer: B. Collaboration between therapist and client
Rationale: A strong therapeutic alliance includes trust, shared goals, and
collaboration throughout treatment.
Question 9
Which ethical principle emphasizes doing good for the client?
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Fidelity
D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: B. Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence requires healthcare providers to promote the well-being
of clients.
Question 10
Autonomy means:
A. Treating everyone identically
B. Respecting a client's right to make informed decisions
C. Avoiding documentation
D. Protecting provider interests
Correct Answer: B. Respecting a client's right to make informed decisions
6645 – Psychotherapy Exam Questions
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
What is the primary goal of psychotherapy?
A. Prescribe medication
B. Promote emotional, behavioral, and psychological well-being
C. Diagnose medical illnesses only
D. Eliminate all emotional distress immediately
Correct Answer: B. Promote emotional, behavioral, and psychological well-being
Rationale: Psychotherapy helps individuals improve emotional functioning,
develop healthier coping skills, and address behavioral or psychological concerns.
Medication management may complement psychotherapy but is not its primary
goal.
Question 2
Which characteristic is most essential for establishing a therapeutic relationship?
A. Sympathy
B. Trust
C. Authority
D. Persuasion
Correct Answer: B. Trust
,Rationale: Trust forms the foundation of the therapeutic relationship. Clients are
more likely to disclose personal information and actively participate in therapy
when trust is established.
Question 3
What is the purpose of informed consent before beginning psychotherapy?
A. Guarantee successful treatment
B. Explain the risks, benefits, and expectations of therapy
C. Diagnose the client's condition
D. Establish a medication plan
Correct Answer: B. Explain the risks, benefits, and expectations of therapy
Rationale: Informed consent ensures clients understand the therapy process,
confidentiality, potential risks, benefits, alternatives, and their rights before
treatment begins.
Question 4
Confidentiality in psychotherapy may legally be broken when:
A. A client disagrees with treatment
B. A client misses appointments
C. A client presents an imminent danger to self or others
D. A client requests a different therapist
Correct Answer: C. A client presents an imminent danger to self or others
Rationale: Confidentiality is fundamental but has legal exceptions, including
imminent risk of harm, suspected abuse in many jurisdictions, or court orders.
Question 5
Which communication technique encourages a client to continue talking?
,A. Giving advice
B. Asking leading questions
C. Using open-ended questions
D. Changing the subject
Correct Answer: C. Using open-ended questions
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage clients to explore thoughts and
feelings in greater depth.
Question 6
Active listening primarily involves:
A. Interrupting frequently
B. Focusing completely on the client's communication
C. Providing immediate solutions
D. Avoiding eye contact
Correct Answer: B. Focusing completely on the client's communication
Rationale: Active listening includes attentive verbal and nonverbal behaviors that
demonstrate understanding and encourage communication.
Question 7
Which response demonstrates empathy?
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
B. "You shouldn't feel that way."
C. "It sounds like this situation has been very difficult for you."
D. "Everything will be fine."
Correct Answer: C. "It sounds like this situation has been very difficult for you."
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges and validates the client's emotional experience
without assuming identical feelings.
, Question 8
The therapeutic alliance refers to:
A. A medication agreement
B. Collaboration between therapist and client
C. Insurance approval
D. Family participation
Correct Answer: B. Collaboration between therapist and client
Rationale: A strong therapeutic alliance includes trust, shared goals, and
collaboration throughout treatment.
Question 9
Which ethical principle emphasizes doing good for the client?
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Fidelity
D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: B. Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence requires healthcare providers to promote the well-being
of clients.
Question 10
Autonomy means:
A. Treating everyone identically
B. Respecting a client's right to make informed decisions
C. Avoiding documentation
D. Protecting provider interests
Correct Answer: B. Respecting a client's right to make informed decisions
