NRNP 6645 PSYCHOTHERAPY
MIDTERM EXAM WALDEN
UNIVERSITY 2026 STUDY GUIDE
TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Unconscious incompetency. Answer: A stage where a person is
unaware of their lack of skill or knowledge.
◉ Conscious incompetency. Answer: A stage where a person is aware of
their lack of skill or knowledge.
◉ Conscious competency. Answer: A stage where a person is aware of
their skill and can perform it.
◉ Unconscious competency. Answer: A stage where a person can
perform a skill without thinking about it.
◉ Freud's problematic traits. Answer: Traits associated with failure to
learn independence and control, such as excessive dependency.
◉ Standards of care. Answer: Legally binding guidelines that dictate the
minimum acceptable level of care.
◉ Practice guidelines. Answer: Recommendations that are not legally
binding and provide best practices.
,◉ CBT cognitive processes. Answer: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
processes that involve primary and secondary thinking.
◉ Imitative behavior. Answer: Behavior that allows individuals to
experiment with new behaviors, particularly in group therapy.
◉ Psychoanalytic psychotherapy candidates. Answer: Patients with
primarily primitive defenses are not ideal candidates for this type of
therapy.
◉ Family therapy initial contact. Answer: Important for the therapist to
identify the presenting problem and arrange a consultation.
◉ Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Answer: A system of
psychotherapy based on the idea that how one structures experiences
affects feelings and behaviors.
◉ Therapeutic factors in groups. Answer: Universality is the factor
where group members realize shared feelings of incompetency.
◉ Dynamic supportive therapy. Answer: A strategy that assists patients
with reality testing, problem-solving, and interpersonal awareness.
◉ Advocacy in therapy. Answer: The advanced practice psychiatric
nurse advocates for the patient to promote independence and growth.
, ◉ Psychoanalytic therapy focus. Answer: The focus on dreams and
wishes distinguishes it from other therapies.
◉ Psychic determinism. Answer: The concept that every thought and
behavior has a cause.
◉ Supportive psychodynamic psychotherapy. Answer: Focuses on
feelings, defenses, life stresses, and problem-solving.
◉ Direct advice in therapy. Answer: Direct advice can elucidate
interpersonal pathology in group therapy.
◉ Solution focused therapy. Answer: Focuses on defining the problem
and potential solutions for the family.
◉ Clinical practice guidelines. Answer: Guidelines that recommend
specific psychodynamic therapies for various psychiatric disorders.
◉ New nurse psychotherapist comfort. Answer: Important for the new
nurse to become comfortable with being directive to help the patient.
◉ Directive Approach. Answer: Guiding patients to improve their well-
being.
MIDTERM EXAM WALDEN
UNIVERSITY 2026 STUDY GUIDE
TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Unconscious incompetency. Answer: A stage where a person is
unaware of their lack of skill or knowledge.
◉ Conscious incompetency. Answer: A stage where a person is aware of
their lack of skill or knowledge.
◉ Conscious competency. Answer: A stage where a person is aware of
their skill and can perform it.
◉ Unconscious competency. Answer: A stage where a person can
perform a skill without thinking about it.
◉ Freud's problematic traits. Answer: Traits associated with failure to
learn independence and control, such as excessive dependency.
◉ Standards of care. Answer: Legally binding guidelines that dictate the
minimum acceptable level of care.
◉ Practice guidelines. Answer: Recommendations that are not legally
binding and provide best practices.
,◉ CBT cognitive processes. Answer: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
processes that involve primary and secondary thinking.
◉ Imitative behavior. Answer: Behavior that allows individuals to
experiment with new behaviors, particularly in group therapy.
◉ Psychoanalytic psychotherapy candidates. Answer: Patients with
primarily primitive defenses are not ideal candidates for this type of
therapy.
◉ Family therapy initial contact. Answer: Important for the therapist to
identify the presenting problem and arrange a consultation.
◉ Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Answer: A system of
psychotherapy based on the idea that how one structures experiences
affects feelings and behaviors.
◉ Therapeutic factors in groups. Answer: Universality is the factor
where group members realize shared feelings of incompetency.
◉ Dynamic supportive therapy. Answer: A strategy that assists patients
with reality testing, problem-solving, and interpersonal awareness.
◉ Advocacy in therapy. Answer: The advanced practice psychiatric
nurse advocates for the patient to promote independence and growth.
, ◉ Psychoanalytic therapy focus. Answer: The focus on dreams and
wishes distinguishes it from other therapies.
◉ Psychic determinism. Answer: The concept that every thought and
behavior has a cause.
◉ Supportive psychodynamic psychotherapy. Answer: Focuses on
feelings, defenses, life stresses, and problem-solving.
◉ Direct advice in therapy. Answer: Direct advice can elucidate
interpersonal pathology in group therapy.
◉ Solution focused therapy. Answer: Focuses on defining the problem
and potential solutions for the family.
◉ Clinical practice guidelines. Answer: Guidelines that recommend
specific psychodynamic therapies for various psychiatric disorders.
◉ New nurse psychotherapist comfort. Answer: Important for the new
nurse to become comfortable with being directive to help the patient.
◉ Directive Approach. Answer: Guiding patients to improve their well-
being.
