NR605 Final Exam 2026 – Psychiatric-Mental Health
Across the Lifespan I Practicum (Weeks 5–8)
Complete 100-Question Practice Exam Verified
Questions with 100% Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Graded A+
SECTION A: MAJOR PSYCHOTHERAPY MODALITIES
1. A PMHNP is evaluating a client with depressive disorder. What major
psychotherapy will be most effective? The PMHNP responds that the most
widely practiced form of psychotherapy is:
A) Psychodynamic therapy
B) Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
C) Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
D) Humanistic therapy
Answer: C
Rationale: CBT is the most widely practiced psychotherapy used for depressive
disorders, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and other
conditions. It is short-term, structured, and goal-oriented, focusing on the
interpersonal relationships of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
2. A client with major depressive disorder states, "I'm a failure. I got a B on
my exam, but I should have gotten an A. I always mess everything up." The
PMHNP recognizes this as which cognitive distortion?
A) Catastrophizing
B) Personalization
C) All-or-nothing thinking
D) Mind reading
Answer: C
Rationale: All-or-nothing (black-and-white) thinking involves seeing situations in
extreme, absolute terms. The client believes that because they did not achieve a
,perfect score, they are a complete failure. This rigid thinking pattern is a common
cognitive distortion in depression and anxiety.
3. During a therapy session, a client with social anxiety states, "I know
everyone at the party thought I was awkward and laughed at me." The
PMHNP identifies this as which cognitive distortion?
A) Overgeneralization
B) Emotional reasoning
C) Mind reading
D) Filtering
Answer: C
Rationale: Mind reading is the cognitive distortion where a person assumes they
know what others are thinking, often assuming negative judgments without
objective evidence. The client is projecting their own fears onto others, which
perpetuates social anxiety.
4. Which psychotherapy modality helps individuals accept life's challenges
while focusing on their values and goals, and is referred to as a "third wave"
CBT therapy?
A) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
B) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
C) Motivational Interviewing (MI)
D) Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
Answer: B
Rationale: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps individuals accept
life's challenges while focusing on their values and goals. It is referred to as a
"third wave" CBT therapy, focusing on accepting reactions and being present
rather than changing thoughts and feelings.
5. A PMHNP is using solution-focused therapy with a client. Which statement
or question is congruent with SFT?
,A) "What was your childhood relationship with your parents like?"
B) "Tell me about a time when the problem was less severe or absent."
C) "How does your depression make you feel about yourself?"
D) "What do you believe is the root cause of your anxiety?"
Answer: B
Rationale: Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) focuses on solutions rather than
problems and emphasizes clients' strengths and resources. Questions about times
when the problem was less severe (exception questions) are central to SFT and
help clients identify what works.
6. The PMHNP understands that Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is most
effective for treating which of the following conditions?
A) Schizophrenia
B) Major depressive disorder
C) Bipolar disorder
D) Autism spectrum disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: IPT is an evidence-based, time-limited psychotherapy that focuses on
interpersonal relationships and their connection to psychological symptoms. It has
strong evidence for treating major depressive disorder, particularly when
interpersonal conflicts or role transitions are contributing factors.
7. Which theorist is widely known as the "grandfather of cognitive behavior
therapy"?
A) Aaron Beck
B) Albert Ellis
C) Sigmund Freud
D) Carl Rogers
Answer: B
, Rationale: Albert Ellis is widely known as the grandfather of cognitive behavior
therapy. Aaron Beck pioneered cognitive therapy in the 1960s through his research
on depression and developed the Beck Depression Inventory.
8. Aaron Beck is credited with:
A) Developing psychoanalysis
B) Pioneering cognitive therapy and developing the Beck Depression Inventory
C) Creating humanistic therapy
D) Founding the behavioral therapy movement
Answer: B
Rationale: Aaron Beck, originally trained in psychoanalysis, pioneered cognitive
therapy in the 1960s through his research on depression. He also developed the
popular Beck Depression Inventory instrument.
9. According to the principles of CBT, an individual's feelings and behaviors
are determined by:
A) Their unconscious conflicts
B) Their cognitive interpretation of events
C) Their genetic predisposition
D) Their environmental circumstances
Answer: B
Rationale: A fundamental principle of CBT is that an individual's interpretation of
an event (their cognitive appraisal) significantly influences their emotional and
behavioral responses. It is not the event itself, but the meaning attached to it, that
often perpetuates distress.
10. Which nursing theory provides a framework to view CBT as a supportive
intervention that fosters effective self-care behaviors?
A) Peplau's Interpersonal Theory
B) Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory
Across the Lifespan I Practicum (Weeks 5–8)
Complete 100-Question Practice Exam Verified
Questions with 100% Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Graded A+
SECTION A: MAJOR PSYCHOTHERAPY MODALITIES
1. A PMHNP is evaluating a client with depressive disorder. What major
psychotherapy will be most effective? The PMHNP responds that the most
widely practiced form of psychotherapy is:
A) Psychodynamic therapy
B) Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
C) Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
D) Humanistic therapy
Answer: C
Rationale: CBT is the most widely practiced psychotherapy used for depressive
disorders, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and other
conditions. It is short-term, structured, and goal-oriented, focusing on the
interpersonal relationships of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
2. A client with major depressive disorder states, "I'm a failure. I got a B on
my exam, but I should have gotten an A. I always mess everything up." The
PMHNP recognizes this as which cognitive distortion?
A) Catastrophizing
B) Personalization
C) All-or-nothing thinking
D) Mind reading
Answer: C
Rationale: All-or-nothing (black-and-white) thinking involves seeing situations in
extreme, absolute terms. The client believes that because they did not achieve a
,perfect score, they are a complete failure. This rigid thinking pattern is a common
cognitive distortion in depression and anxiety.
3. During a therapy session, a client with social anxiety states, "I know
everyone at the party thought I was awkward and laughed at me." The
PMHNP identifies this as which cognitive distortion?
A) Overgeneralization
B) Emotional reasoning
C) Mind reading
D) Filtering
Answer: C
Rationale: Mind reading is the cognitive distortion where a person assumes they
know what others are thinking, often assuming negative judgments without
objective evidence. The client is projecting their own fears onto others, which
perpetuates social anxiety.
4. Which psychotherapy modality helps individuals accept life's challenges
while focusing on their values and goals, and is referred to as a "third wave"
CBT therapy?
A) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
B) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
C) Motivational Interviewing (MI)
D) Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
Answer: B
Rationale: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps individuals accept
life's challenges while focusing on their values and goals. It is referred to as a
"third wave" CBT therapy, focusing on accepting reactions and being present
rather than changing thoughts and feelings.
5. A PMHNP is using solution-focused therapy with a client. Which statement
or question is congruent with SFT?
,A) "What was your childhood relationship with your parents like?"
B) "Tell me about a time when the problem was less severe or absent."
C) "How does your depression make you feel about yourself?"
D) "What do you believe is the root cause of your anxiety?"
Answer: B
Rationale: Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) focuses on solutions rather than
problems and emphasizes clients' strengths and resources. Questions about times
when the problem was less severe (exception questions) are central to SFT and
help clients identify what works.
6. The PMHNP understands that Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is most
effective for treating which of the following conditions?
A) Schizophrenia
B) Major depressive disorder
C) Bipolar disorder
D) Autism spectrum disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: IPT is an evidence-based, time-limited psychotherapy that focuses on
interpersonal relationships and their connection to psychological symptoms. It has
strong evidence for treating major depressive disorder, particularly when
interpersonal conflicts or role transitions are contributing factors.
7. Which theorist is widely known as the "grandfather of cognitive behavior
therapy"?
A) Aaron Beck
B) Albert Ellis
C) Sigmund Freud
D) Carl Rogers
Answer: B
, Rationale: Albert Ellis is widely known as the grandfather of cognitive behavior
therapy. Aaron Beck pioneered cognitive therapy in the 1960s through his research
on depression and developed the Beck Depression Inventory.
8. Aaron Beck is credited with:
A) Developing psychoanalysis
B) Pioneering cognitive therapy and developing the Beck Depression Inventory
C) Creating humanistic therapy
D) Founding the behavioral therapy movement
Answer: B
Rationale: Aaron Beck, originally trained in psychoanalysis, pioneered cognitive
therapy in the 1960s through his research on depression. He also developed the
popular Beck Depression Inventory instrument.
9. According to the principles of CBT, an individual's feelings and behaviors
are determined by:
A) Their unconscious conflicts
B) Their cognitive interpretation of events
C) Their genetic predisposition
D) Their environmental circumstances
Answer: B
Rationale: A fundamental principle of CBT is that an individual's interpretation of
an event (their cognitive appraisal) significantly influences their emotional and
behavioral responses. It is not the event itself, but the meaning attached to it, that
often perpetuates distress.
10. Which nursing theory provides a framework to view CBT as a supportive
intervention that fosters effective self-care behaviors?
A) Peplau's Interpersonal Theory
B) Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory
