NSG 526 EXAM 2 - FAMILY AND GROUP
THERAPY ADVANCED PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027
1. According to Murray Bowen, what is the primary purpose of ‘triangulation’ within a family
system?
A. To increase the intimacy between two original family members.
B. To ensure that all family members have equal power in decision making.
C. To facilitate healthy conflict resolution through mediation.
D. To reduce anxiety between two people by shifting it to a third party.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Triangulation is a core concept in Bowenian theory where a two-
person system under stress draws in a third person to stabilize the relationship and reduce
immediate anxiety.
2. In Salvador Minuchin’s Structural Family Therapy, which term describes boundaries that
result in family members being over-involved in each other’s lives?
A. Rigid boundaries
B. Disengaged boundaries
,C. Permeable boundaries
D. Enmeshed boundaries
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Enmeshed boundaries are characterized by a lack of
differentiation between individuals, leading to heightened emotional reactivity and over-
involvement.
3. Irvin Yalom identified eleven curative factors in group therapy. Which factor involves the
realization that one is not alone in their problems?
A. Universality
B. Altruism
C. Catharsis
D. Imitative Behavior
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Universality is the recognition that other group members share
similar feelings, thoughts, and experiences, which helps disconfirm the patient’s sense of
exceptional isolation.
4. Which family therapy model utilizes ‘circular questioning’ to highlight differences and
connections among family members?
A. Strategic Family Therapy
, B. Psychoanalytic Family Therapy
C. Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapy
D. Milan Systemic Therapy
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Circular questioning is a hallmark of the Milan School, designed
to elicit information about relationships and differences in perspective within the family
system.
5. A PMHNP is working with a family using Solution-Focused Therapy. The practitioner asks,
‘If a miracle happened tonight, how would you know your problem was solved tomorrow?’
This is an example of:
A. Reframing
B. Exception-finding
C. Scaling Questions
D. The Miracle Question
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Miracle Question helps clients envision a future without the
problem, shifting the focus from pathology to solutions and goals.
THERAPY ADVANCED PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027
1. According to Murray Bowen, what is the primary purpose of ‘triangulation’ within a family
system?
A. To increase the intimacy between two original family members.
B. To ensure that all family members have equal power in decision making.
C. To facilitate healthy conflict resolution through mediation.
D. To reduce anxiety between two people by shifting it to a third party.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Triangulation is a core concept in Bowenian theory where a two-
person system under stress draws in a third person to stabilize the relationship and reduce
immediate anxiety.
2. In Salvador Minuchin’s Structural Family Therapy, which term describes boundaries that
result in family members being over-involved in each other’s lives?
A. Rigid boundaries
B. Disengaged boundaries
,C. Permeable boundaries
D. Enmeshed boundaries
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Enmeshed boundaries are characterized by a lack of
differentiation between individuals, leading to heightened emotional reactivity and over-
involvement.
3. Irvin Yalom identified eleven curative factors in group therapy. Which factor involves the
realization that one is not alone in their problems?
A. Universality
B. Altruism
C. Catharsis
D. Imitative Behavior
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Universality is the recognition that other group members share
similar feelings, thoughts, and experiences, which helps disconfirm the patient’s sense of
exceptional isolation.
4. Which family therapy model utilizes ‘circular questioning’ to highlight differences and
connections among family members?
A. Strategic Family Therapy
, B. Psychoanalytic Family Therapy
C. Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapy
D. Milan Systemic Therapy
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Circular questioning is a hallmark of the Milan School, designed
to elicit information about relationships and differences in perspective within the family
system.
5. A PMHNP is working with a family using Solution-Focused Therapy. The practitioner asks,
‘If a miracle happened tonight, how would you know your problem was solved tomorrow?’
This is an example of:
A. Reframing
B. Exception-finding
C. Scaling Questions
D. The Miracle Question
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Miracle Question helps clients envision a future without the
problem, shifting the focus from pathology to solutions and goals.
