1
WILKES NSG 526 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS_UPDATED
1. A PMHNP is facilitating an outpatient psychotherapy group for adults with
depression. During the session, one member speaks continuously, interrupts other
members, and answers questions directed toward the group before anyone else
has an opportunity to respond. Several quieter members have stopped
participating. Which intervention by the PMHNP would be most appropriate to
promote healthier group interaction?
A. Ask the dominant member to leave the group temporarily
B. Ignore the behavior because increased verbalization indicates therapeutic
progress
C. Make an observation about the group's silence and invite other members to
share their perspectives
D. Direct all future questions exclusively to the quieter members
Answer: C
2. A patient begins brief psychotherapy after reporting recurrent panic symptoms
associated with catastrophic interpretations of normal bodily sensations. The
PMHNP wants to use a cognitive-behavioral approach that emphasizes the
relationship among thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Which intervention is
most consistent with this approach?
A. Help the patient identify automatic thoughts and examine evidence supporting
and challenging those thoughts
B. Encourage the patient to freely associate without therapist direction
C. Focus primarily on unresolved childhood conflicts and early developmental
experiences
D. Ask the patient to remain silent until unconscious material emerges
Answer: A
3. During the first session with a new psychotherapy patient, the PMHNP explains
confidentiality, discusses the limits of confidentiality, establishes expectations for
,2
treatment, and collaboratively identifies initial goals. Which phase of the
therapeutic relationship is being emphasized?
A. Termination phase
B. Working phase
C. Evaluation phase
D. Orientation phase
Answer: D
4. A PMHNP is leading a psychoeducational group for patients with generalized
anxiety disorder. A participant asks whether another member's disclosure can be
discussed outside the group. Which response best establishes an appropriate
group boundary?
A. "Anything discussed in group can be shared if you do not use the person's
name."
B. "Confidentiality is an important group expectation, and members should agree
not to disclose identifying information about other participants outside the
group."
C. "Only the therapist is legally responsible for maintaining confidentiality."
D. "Confidentiality is unnecessary because group members are receiving the same
treatment."
Answer: B
5. A patient receiving brief psychotherapy repeatedly describes an interpersonal
conflict but focuses entirely on what other people are doing wrong. The PMHNP
wants to use a here-and-now intervention that increases the patient's awareness
of personal responses and choices. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Explore the patient's responsibility and behavioral responses within the current
conflict
B. Immediately terminate therapy because the patient lacks insight
C. Avoid discussing the conflict until the patient independently recognizes the
problem
D. Focus exclusively on childhood developmental experiences
,3
Answer: A
6. A PMHNP is conducting a group session in which members are beginning to
trust one another, but disagreements about leadership, participation, and
acceptable behavior are becoming increasingly visible. Which stage of group
development is most consistent with these behaviors?
A. Performing
B. Forming
C. Storming
D. Adjourning
Answer: C
7. During a group psychotherapy session, one participant begins crying while
discussing the death of a spouse. Another participant immediately changes the
subject because the emotional discussion makes them uncomfortable. What is the
PMHNP's best initial intervention?
A. Ask the grieving participant to leave the group
B. Acknowledge the emotion and allow the group to process the patient's
experience appropriately
C. Change the topic to prevent further emotional distress
D. Explain that grief should be addressed only in individual therapy
Answer: B
8. A patient in a brief psychotherapy program has achieved the majority of the
mutually established treatment goals. During the final sessions, the PMHNP
reviews progress, identifies remaining concerns, and discusses strategies for
maintaining gains after treatment ends. Which phase is being demonstrated?
A. Orientation
B. Assessment
C. Working
D. Termination
Answer: D
, 4
9. A PMHNP is working with a patient who frequently interprets neutral
comments from coworkers as evidence that others dislike or intend to harm the
patient. Which CBT intervention would best help the patient examine this
cognitive pattern?
A. Ask the patient to identify alternative explanations for the coworkers' behavior
and examine supporting evidence
B. Encourage the patient to avoid coworkers completely
C. Encourage free association regarding childhood memories
D. Tell the patient that the interpretation is irrational and should be stopped
Answer: A
10. A PMHNP is designing a group for patients with social anxiety. The primary
purpose is to provide opportunities for members to recognize interpersonal
patterns, receive feedback, practice communication skills, and learn from others
with similar concerns. Which modality best describes this intervention?
A. Individual supportive therapy
B. Group psychotherapy
C. Family psychoeducation only
D. Milieu management
Answer: B
11. A patient tells the PMHNP, "If I make one mistake at work, everyone will know
that I'm incompetent and I'll probably lose my job." The PMHNP asks the patient
to examine whether one mistake necessarily leads to the predicted catastrophic
outcome. Which cognitive distortion is most directly being addressed?
A. Catastrophizing
B. Thought blocking
C. Echolalia
D. Circumstantiality
Answer: A
WILKES NSG 526 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS_UPDATED
1. A PMHNP is facilitating an outpatient psychotherapy group for adults with
depression. During the session, one member speaks continuously, interrupts other
members, and answers questions directed toward the group before anyone else
has an opportunity to respond. Several quieter members have stopped
participating. Which intervention by the PMHNP would be most appropriate to
promote healthier group interaction?
A. Ask the dominant member to leave the group temporarily
B. Ignore the behavior because increased verbalization indicates therapeutic
progress
C. Make an observation about the group's silence and invite other members to
share their perspectives
D. Direct all future questions exclusively to the quieter members
Answer: C
2. A patient begins brief psychotherapy after reporting recurrent panic symptoms
associated with catastrophic interpretations of normal bodily sensations. The
PMHNP wants to use a cognitive-behavioral approach that emphasizes the
relationship among thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Which intervention is
most consistent with this approach?
A. Help the patient identify automatic thoughts and examine evidence supporting
and challenging those thoughts
B. Encourage the patient to freely associate without therapist direction
C. Focus primarily on unresolved childhood conflicts and early developmental
experiences
D. Ask the patient to remain silent until unconscious material emerges
Answer: A
3. During the first session with a new psychotherapy patient, the PMHNP explains
confidentiality, discusses the limits of confidentiality, establishes expectations for
,2
treatment, and collaboratively identifies initial goals. Which phase of the
therapeutic relationship is being emphasized?
A. Termination phase
B. Working phase
C. Evaluation phase
D. Orientation phase
Answer: D
4. A PMHNP is leading a psychoeducational group for patients with generalized
anxiety disorder. A participant asks whether another member's disclosure can be
discussed outside the group. Which response best establishes an appropriate
group boundary?
A. "Anything discussed in group can be shared if you do not use the person's
name."
B. "Confidentiality is an important group expectation, and members should agree
not to disclose identifying information about other participants outside the
group."
C. "Only the therapist is legally responsible for maintaining confidentiality."
D. "Confidentiality is unnecessary because group members are receiving the same
treatment."
Answer: B
5. A patient receiving brief psychotherapy repeatedly describes an interpersonal
conflict but focuses entirely on what other people are doing wrong. The PMHNP
wants to use a here-and-now intervention that increases the patient's awareness
of personal responses and choices. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Explore the patient's responsibility and behavioral responses within the current
conflict
B. Immediately terminate therapy because the patient lacks insight
C. Avoid discussing the conflict until the patient independently recognizes the
problem
D. Focus exclusively on childhood developmental experiences
,3
Answer: A
6. A PMHNP is conducting a group session in which members are beginning to
trust one another, but disagreements about leadership, participation, and
acceptable behavior are becoming increasingly visible. Which stage of group
development is most consistent with these behaviors?
A. Performing
B. Forming
C. Storming
D. Adjourning
Answer: C
7. During a group psychotherapy session, one participant begins crying while
discussing the death of a spouse. Another participant immediately changes the
subject because the emotional discussion makes them uncomfortable. What is the
PMHNP's best initial intervention?
A. Ask the grieving participant to leave the group
B. Acknowledge the emotion and allow the group to process the patient's
experience appropriately
C. Change the topic to prevent further emotional distress
D. Explain that grief should be addressed only in individual therapy
Answer: B
8. A patient in a brief psychotherapy program has achieved the majority of the
mutually established treatment goals. During the final sessions, the PMHNP
reviews progress, identifies remaining concerns, and discusses strategies for
maintaining gains after treatment ends. Which phase is being demonstrated?
A. Orientation
B. Assessment
C. Working
D. Termination
Answer: D
, 4
9. A PMHNP is working with a patient who frequently interprets neutral
comments from coworkers as evidence that others dislike or intend to harm the
patient. Which CBT intervention would best help the patient examine this
cognitive pattern?
A. Ask the patient to identify alternative explanations for the coworkers' behavior
and examine supporting evidence
B. Encourage the patient to avoid coworkers completely
C. Encourage free association regarding childhood memories
D. Tell the patient that the interpretation is irrational and should be stopped
Answer: A
10. A PMHNP is designing a group for patients with social anxiety. The primary
purpose is to provide opportunities for members to recognize interpersonal
patterns, receive feedback, practice communication skills, and learn from others
with similar concerns. Which modality best describes this intervention?
A. Individual supportive therapy
B. Group psychotherapy
C. Family psychoeducation only
D. Milieu management
Answer: B
11. A patient tells the PMHNP, "If I make one mistake at work, everyone will know
that I'm incompetent and I'll probably lose my job." The PMHNP asks the patient
to examine whether one mistake necessarily leads to the predicted catastrophic
outcome. Which cognitive distortion is most directly being addressed?
A. Catastrophizing
B. Thought blocking
C. Echolalia
D. Circumstantiality
Answer: A
