Walden University NURS 6650 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Psychotherapy Groups & Families | Psychotherapy
**1. In a group therapy session for adolescents, a 15-year-old patient says he
has trouble making conversation with people he does not know well. Based
on the principle of development of socializing techniques, what explicit
approach might the PMHNP take?**
A) Prescribe a social anxiety medication
B) Refer the patient for individual therapy
C) Have group members conduct a role play to practice making conversation
D) Advise the patient to observe other group members
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Socializing techniques in group therapy involve teaching
members social skills through practice and feedback within the group. Role-
playing social situations allows the adolescent to practice making
conversation in a safe, supportive environment with immediate feedback
from peers and the therapist.
---
**2. One group member is identified by the PMHNP as the monopolist of the
group. Which behavior does the PMHNP believe this member is most likely to
display?**
A) Avoiding participation and remaining silent
B) Talking excessively and inserting him- or herself into conversations even
when they do not involve him or her
C) Providing emotional support to other members
,D) Challenging the group leader's authority
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A monopolist in group therapy is characterized by excessive
talking and inserting themselves into conversations that do not involve them.
This behavior can prevent other members from participating and may need
to be addressed to maintain group balance.
---
**3. During a first group therapy session, a member is outgoing and
participates actively. Based on this information, what is an appropriate
prediction about this group member by the PMHNP?**
A) The member will drop out of the group
B) The member may be influential in the group
C) The member will remain quiet in future sessions
D) The member is resistant to therapy
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Members who are outgoing and participate actively in early
sessions often become influential in shaping group dynamics and norms.
Their level of participation can significantly impact the group's development.
---
,**4. One member of a therapy group had been quiet for the first several
sessions. The member revealed to the other members feelings of depression
and emptiness. This week, the member was full of energy and talking very
quickly. The member became irritated with another member who tried to
interrupt, started yelling, and then broke into a fit of laughter. Based on the
situation, what can the PMHNP determine about the member?**
A) The member is experiencing a therapeutic breakthrough
B) The member is exhibiting bipolar behaviors
C) The member is becoming more comfortable in the group
D) The member is experiencing a psychotic episode
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The sudden shift from depression and emptiness to high
energy, rapid speech, irritability, and labile mood is consistent with a manic
or hypomanic episode, characteristic of bipolar disorder. This pattern of
mood fluctuation is a key clinical observation.
---
**5. A PMHNP has been holding group therapy sessions for several weeks
and notices that a patient is timid and predictable in his or her responses.
When the patient does speak, he or she avoids saying anything to contradict
anyone in the group. Based on this information, what is an appropriate
question the PMHNP should ask herself?**
A) "Is this patient ready for termination?"
B) "Is this patient benefiting from the group?"
C) "Should I remove this patient from the group?"
D) "What can I do to help the patient emerge from this protective shell?"
, **Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** When a group member is timid, predictable, and avoids
contradiction, the PMHNP should consider therapeutic interventions to help
the patient develop assertiveness and authentic participation. This question
reflects a therapeutic, patient-centered approach.
---
**6. The PMHNP conducts a specialized individual interview with a patient
named Sandy. During this interview, Sandy expresses her want of the other
members to like her, and she has a deep dread for the first group meeting.
How does the PMHNP correctly interpret Sandy's interpersonal circumplex?**
A) Sandy is likely to view members of the group as hostile
B) Sandy is likely to view members of the group as friendly
C) Sandy is likely to be indifferent to other members
D) Sandy is likely to be overly aggressive with other members
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The interpersonal circumplex model suggests that individuals
who desire acceptance and fear rejection tend to view others as friendly and
approachable. Sandy's wish for others to like her and her dread of the first
meeting indicate a friendly interpersonal orientation.
---
Psychotherapy Groups & Families | Psychotherapy
**1. In a group therapy session for adolescents, a 15-year-old patient says he
has trouble making conversation with people he does not know well. Based
on the principle of development of socializing techniques, what explicit
approach might the PMHNP take?**
A) Prescribe a social anxiety medication
B) Refer the patient for individual therapy
C) Have group members conduct a role play to practice making conversation
D) Advise the patient to observe other group members
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Socializing techniques in group therapy involve teaching
members social skills through practice and feedback within the group. Role-
playing social situations allows the adolescent to practice making
conversation in a safe, supportive environment with immediate feedback
from peers and the therapist.
---
**2. One group member is identified by the PMHNP as the monopolist of the
group. Which behavior does the PMHNP believe this member is most likely to
display?**
A) Avoiding participation and remaining silent
B) Talking excessively and inserting him- or herself into conversations even
when they do not involve him or her
C) Providing emotional support to other members
,D) Challenging the group leader's authority
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A monopolist in group therapy is characterized by excessive
talking and inserting themselves into conversations that do not involve them.
This behavior can prevent other members from participating and may need
to be addressed to maintain group balance.
---
**3. During a first group therapy session, a member is outgoing and
participates actively. Based on this information, what is an appropriate
prediction about this group member by the PMHNP?**
A) The member will drop out of the group
B) The member may be influential in the group
C) The member will remain quiet in future sessions
D) The member is resistant to therapy
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Members who are outgoing and participate actively in early
sessions often become influential in shaping group dynamics and norms.
Their level of participation can significantly impact the group's development.
---
,**4. One member of a therapy group had been quiet for the first several
sessions. The member revealed to the other members feelings of depression
and emptiness. This week, the member was full of energy and talking very
quickly. The member became irritated with another member who tried to
interrupt, started yelling, and then broke into a fit of laughter. Based on the
situation, what can the PMHNP determine about the member?**
A) The member is experiencing a therapeutic breakthrough
B) The member is exhibiting bipolar behaviors
C) The member is becoming more comfortable in the group
D) The member is experiencing a psychotic episode
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The sudden shift from depression and emptiness to high
energy, rapid speech, irritability, and labile mood is consistent with a manic
or hypomanic episode, characteristic of bipolar disorder. This pattern of
mood fluctuation is a key clinical observation.
---
**5. A PMHNP has been holding group therapy sessions for several weeks
and notices that a patient is timid and predictable in his or her responses.
When the patient does speak, he or she avoids saying anything to contradict
anyone in the group. Based on this information, what is an appropriate
question the PMHNP should ask herself?**
A) "Is this patient ready for termination?"
B) "Is this patient benefiting from the group?"
C) "Should I remove this patient from the group?"
D) "What can I do to help the patient emerge from this protective shell?"
, **Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** When a group member is timid, predictable, and avoids
contradiction, the PMHNP should consider therapeutic interventions to help
the patient develop assertiveness and authentic participation. This question
reflects a therapeutic, patient-centered approach.
---
**6. The PMHNP conducts a specialized individual interview with a patient
named Sandy. During this interview, Sandy expresses her want of the other
members to like her, and she has a deep dread for the first group meeting.
How does the PMHNP correctly interpret Sandy's interpersonal circumplex?**
A) Sandy is likely to view members of the group as hostile
B) Sandy is likely to view members of the group as friendly
C) Sandy is likely to be indifferent to other members
D) Sandy is likely to be overly aggressive with other members
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The interpersonal circumplex model suggests that individuals
who desire acceptance and fear rejection tend to view others as friendly and
approachable. Sandy's wish for others to like her and her dread of the first
meeting indicate a friendly interpersonal orientation.
---
