NRNP 6645 ADVANCED
PSYCHOTHERAPY COMPREHENSIVE
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A PMHNP is working with a patient using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The patient
states, ‘If I don’t get this promotion, my entire career is a failure.’ Which cognitive distortion
is this patient demonstrating?
A. Personalization
B. All-or-nothing thinking
C. Emotional reasoning
D. Mind reading
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: All-or-nothing thinking (dichotomous thinking) involves seeing
things in black-and-white categories, where a failure to achieve perfection is viewed as
total failure.
2. In Yalom’s stages of group development, during which phase do members typically
experience power struggles and competition for the leader’s favor?
A. Forming
,B. Norming
C. Storming
D. Performing
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The ‘Storming’ phase is characterized by conflict, competition,
and members testing boundaries or challenging the leader’s authority.
3. According to Bowen Family Systems Theory, what is the primary purpose of ‘triangulation’
within a family unit?
A. To improve communication between three people
B. To increase the level of differentiation in the children
C. To reduce anxiety between two people by involving a third
D. To establish clear boundaries between subsystems
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Triangulation is a process where a two-person system under
stress recruits a third person to stabilize the relationship and reduce immediate anxiety.
4. Which psychotherapeutic approach emphasizes ‘unconditional positive regard,’ empathy,
and congruence as the primary factors for change?
A. Person-Centered Therapy
B. Psychodynamic Therapy
, C. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
D. Gestalt Therapy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Carl Rogers’ Person-Centered (Humanistic) therapy identifies
unconditional positive regard, empathy, and therapist congruence as the ‘core conditions’
for growth.
5. A therapist is using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with a client diagnosed with
Borderline Personality Disorder. The client is learning to accept painful emotions without
attempting to change them immediately. This represents which module?
A. Interpersonal Effectiveness
B. Emotion Regulation
C. Core Mindfulness
D. Distress Tolerance
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Distress Tolerance modules in DBT focus on accepting, finding
meaning for, and tolerating pain when it is not possible to change the situation
immediately.
6. In the context of psychodynamic therapy, ‘transference’ is best defined as:
A. The therapist’s unconscious reactions to the patient
PSYCHOTHERAPY COMPREHENSIVE
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A PMHNP is working with a patient using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The patient
states, ‘If I don’t get this promotion, my entire career is a failure.’ Which cognitive distortion
is this patient demonstrating?
A. Personalization
B. All-or-nothing thinking
C. Emotional reasoning
D. Mind reading
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: All-or-nothing thinking (dichotomous thinking) involves seeing
things in black-and-white categories, where a failure to achieve perfection is viewed as
total failure.
2. In Yalom’s stages of group development, during which phase do members typically
experience power struggles and competition for the leader’s favor?
A. Forming
,B. Norming
C. Storming
D. Performing
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The ‘Storming’ phase is characterized by conflict, competition,
and members testing boundaries or challenging the leader’s authority.
3. According to Bowen Family Systems Theory, what is the primary purpose of ‘triangulation’
within a family unit?
A. To improve communication between three people
B. To increase the level of differentiation in the children
C. To reduce anxiety between two people by involving a third
D. To establish clear boundaries between subsystems
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Triangulation is a process where a two-person system under
stress recruits a third person to stabilize the relationship and reduce immediate anxiety.
4. Which psychotherapeutic approach emphasizes ‘unconditional positive regard,’ empathy,
and congruence as the primary factors for change?
A. Person-Centered Therapy
B. Psychodynamic Therapy
, C. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
D. Gestalt Therapy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Carl Rogers’ Person-Centered (Humanistic) therapy identifies
unconditional positive regard, empathy, and therapist congruence as the ‘core conditions’
for growth.
5. A therapist is using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with a client diagnosed with
Borderline Personality Disorder. The client is learning to accept painful emotions without
attempting to change them immediately. This represents which module?
A. Interpersonal Effectiveness
B. Emotion Regulation
C. Core Mindfulness
D. Distress Tolerance
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Distress Tolerance modules in DBT focus on accepting, finding
meaning for, and tolerating pain when it is not possible to change the situation
immediately.
6. In the context of psychodynamic therapy, ‘transference’ is best defined as:
A. The therapist’s unconscious reactions to the patient
