Psychotherapy Exam P a g e | 1
Test Bank for Theory and Practice of
Counseling and Psychotherapy 3, 11th Edition
(International) by Gerald Corey | All Chapters |
Verified Q&A
The mother of a child who is brought to the clinic unconscious is hysterical, yelling, becoming
increasingly agitated, and throws her bottle of water on the floor. Which response should the
practical nurse make?
A. Use an authoritative approach to confront her to control her behaviors
B. Inform her that this behavior is unacceptable in the clinic
C. Call for security officers to assist her from the premises
D. Step aside and reassure the mother that the staff is present to help –
Correct Answer :D. Step aside and reassure the mother that the staff is present to help
P a g e 1 | 113
, Psychotherapy Exam P a g e | 2
rationale:
The client is exhibiting excessive agitation, which has a potential for violence. To ensure a safe
environment, the PN should maintain a distance that avoids the client's physical reach and
reassure her that the staff are here to help (D). The mother is distressed and is not likely to be
receptive to verbal instructions, which may further agitate her (A and B). Calling a show of
force (C) may only increase her agitation and her child needs her presence while care is
provided.
The mother of a young child involved in the motor vehicle collision is in the family room when
she is told that her child has died as a result of the injuries. She screams, "You killed my child!"
and starts to pace. What is the best action for the practical nurse to implement at this time?
A. Assure the mother that the child received the best possible care
B. Show sympathy and offer her a locket of the child's hair
C. Place an arm around the mother to hold and comforts her
D. Remain with the mother and sit quietly in the room near the door –
Correct Answer :D. Remain with the mother and sit quietly in the room near the door
rationale:
The mother is experiencing shock and disbelief to her child's unexpected death, which can be
manifested by a parent's initial reaction to project blame and anger. The mother's response
may be a pre-warning sign of agitation and acting out or violent behavior, so the safest action
is to remain with the mother in a quiet presence in the room (D) near the door as she works
through this stage. At this stage, (A,B, or C) are unlikely to be effective until the mother has
calmed down
P a g e 2 | 113
, Psychotherapy Exam P a g e | 3
A debilitated, older female client with Alzheimer's disease who is admitted to the hospital is
bewildered and begins to kick and push away an unlicensed assistive personal (UAP). What
action should the practical nurse take?
A. Orient the client to time, person, and place
B. Remind the client that the staff members are available to help her
C. Place soft restraints on the client to prevent injury
D. Ask a person who is unfamiliar to the client to sit at the bedside –
Correct Answer :D. Ask a person who is unfamiliar to the client to sit at the bedside
rationale:
Clients with Alzheimer's disease are unable to engage in self care and have difficulty adapting
to new environments and information. A familiar person (D) can provide comfort and
distraction and can ease the client's transition to the hospital. The client is not able to
understand or retain reorientation or teaching (A and B). Alternative measures, such as
distraction, should be used before restraints (C), which often increase anxiety and
combativeness.
Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement for a male client who is actively
hallucinating?
A. Use an authoritative stand to confront the client
B. Ask for permission before touching the client
C. Inform the client that no one else is in the room
D. Place the client in soft restraints if he is violent –
Correct Answer :B. Ask for permission before touching the client
P a g e 3 | 113
, Psychotherapy Exam P a g e | 4
rationale:
A client who is hallucinating should be asked his permission before being touched (B) because
the client may misinterpret the touch as part of the hallucination and react physically to the
stimuli. Authoritative posturing is not indicated with a client who is agitated or has altered
perceptions of the environment (A). Although reality validation should be given, the client's
ability to understand reality during an active hallucination may cause more anxiety and
agitation (C). Restraints are used to protect the client and others from injury, so alternative
means, such as a secured room, should be tried before applying physical restraint (D).
A women arrives at the clinic with multiple bruises. The practical nurse (PN) who has carried
for her on previous similar visits is concerned about her safety. Which question should the PN
ask the client to determine if she is a victim of domestic violence?
A. How are things in your home life?
B. Why do you stay in your situation?
C. What did you do that caused your partner to hit you?
D. Do you feel it is healthy to remain a battered victim? –
Correct Answer :A. How are things in your home life?
rationale:
A general question be used to initiate the assessment and questions that imply judgement or
blame should be avoided (A). Why questions (B), and terms that imply domestic violence,
such as battered (C), which often carry a negative stigma, can be misinterpreted by the victim
(D) and should be avoided.
A female client is anxious about a scheduled diagnostic procedure and keeps asking the same
question of every staff person. How should the practical nurse respond?
P a g e 4 | 113
Test Bank for Theory and Practice of
Counseling and Psychotherapy 3, 11th Edition
(International) by Gerald Corey | All Chapters |
Verified Q&A
The mother of a child who is brought to the clinic unconscious is hysterical, yelling, becoming
increasingly agitated, and throws her bottle of water on the floor. Which response should the
practical nurse make?
A. Use an authoritative approach to confront her to control her behaviors
B. Inform her that this behavior is unacceptable in the clinic
C. Call for security officers to assist her from the premises
D. Step aside and reassure the mother that the staff is present to help –
Correct Answer :D. Step aside and reassure the mother that the staff is present to help
P a g e 1 | 113
, Psychotherapy Exam P a g e | 2
rationale:
The client is exhibiting excessive agitation, which has a potential for violence. To ensure a safe
environment, the PN should maintain a distance that avoids the client's physical reach and
reassure her that the staff are here to help (D). The mother is distressed and is not likely to be
receptive to verbal instructions, which may further agitate her (A and B). Calling a show of
force (C) may only increase her agitation and her child needs her presence while care is
provided.
The mother of a young child involved in the motor vehicle collision is in the family room when
she is told that her child has died as a result of the injuries. She screams, "You killed my child!"
and starts to pace. What is the best action for the practical nurse to implement at this time?
A. Assure the mother that the child received the best possible care
B. Show sympathy and offer her a locket of the child's hair
C. Place an arm around the mother to hold and comforts her
D. Remain with the mother and sit quietly in the room near the door –
Correct Answer :D. Remain with the mother and sit quietly in the room near the door
rationale:
The mother is experiencing shock and disbelief to her child's unexpected death, which can be
manifested by a parent's initial reaction to project blame and anger. The mother's response
may be a pre-warning sign of agitation and acting out or violent behavior, so the safest action
is to remain with the mother in a quiet presence in the room (D) near the door as she works
through this stage. At this stage, (A,B, or C) are unlikely to be effective until the mother has
calmed down
P a g e 2 | 113
, Psychotherapy Exam P a g e | 3
A debilitated, older female client with Alzheimer's disease who is admitted to the hospital is
bewildered and begins to kick and push away an unlicensed assistive personal (UAP). What
action should the practical nurse take?
A. Orient the client to time, person, and place
B. Remind the client that the staff members are available to help her
C. Place soft restraints on the client to prevent injury
D. Ask a person who is unfamiliar to the client to sit at the bedside –
Correct Answer :D. Ask a person who is unfamiliar to the client to sit at the bedside
rationale:
Clients with Alzheimer's disease are unable to engage in self care and have difficulty adapting
to new environments and information. A familiar person (D) can provide comfort and
distraction and can ease the client's transition to the hospital. The client is not able to
understand or retain reorientation or teaching (A and B). Alternative measures, such as
distraction, should be used before restraints (C), which often increase anxiety and
combativeness.
Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement for a male client who is actively
hallucinating?
A. Use an authoritative stand to confront the client
B. Ask for permission before touching the client
C. Inform the client that no one else is in the room
D. Place the client in soft restraints if he is violent –
Correct Answer :B. Ask for permission before touching the client
P a g e 3 | 113
, Psychotherapy Exam P a g e | 4
rationale:
A client who is hallucinating should be asked his permission before being touched (B) because
the client may misinterpret the touch as part of the hallucination and react physically to the
stimuli. Authoritative posturing is not indicated with a client who is agitated or has altered
perceptions of the environment (A). Although reality validation should be given, the client's
ability to understand reality during an active hallucination may cause more anxiety and
agitation (C). Restraints are used to protect the client and others from injury, so alternative
means, such as a secured room, should be tried before applying physical restraint (D).
A women arrives at the clinic with multiple bruises. The practical nurse (PN) who has carried
for her on previous similar visits is concerned about her safety. Which question should the PN
ask the client to determine if she is a victim of domestic violence?
A. How are things in your home life?
B. Why do you stay in your situation?
C. What did you do that caused your partner to hit you?
D. Do you feel it is healthy to remain a battered victim? –
Correct Answer :A. How are things in your home life?
rationale:
A general question be used to initiate the assessment and questions that imply judgement or
blame should be avoided (A). Why questions (B), and terms that imply domestic violence,
such as battered (C), which often carry a negative stigma, can be misinterpreted by the victim
(D) and should be avoided.
A female client is anxious about a scheduled diagnostic procedure and keeps asking the same
question of every staff person. How should the practical nurse respond?
P a g e 4 | 113
