MSN 674 FINAL EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE (NKU)
NEWEST 2026/ 2027 TEST BANK| MSN674
PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH
NURSE PRACTITIONER (PMHNP) FINAL EXAM PREP
WITH COMPLETE 350 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED
A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
A client with borderline personality disorder frequently engages in self-
harm after interpersonal conflicts. The PMHNP begins teaching
mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance skills. Which
therapy is most appropriate?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. DBT
C. Supportive therapy
D. Exposure therapy - Correct Answer - B. DBT
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is specifically designed for
borderline personality disorder and emphasizes emotional regulation,
distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness.
A 45-year-old client recently lost a spouse and reports difficulty
adjusting to the life changes. The PMHNP focuses sessions on
improving communication skills, resolving grief-related role transitions,
and strengthening social support. Which therapy best fits this treatment?
A. EMDR
B. CBT
C. IPT
pg. 1
,D. ACT - Correct Answer - C. IPT
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) focuses on interpersonal
relationships, grief, role transitions, and relationship conflicts
contributing to psychiatric symptoms.
A trauma survivor avoids driving because of a previous motor vehicle
accident. The PMHNP gradually exposes the client to driving-related
situations while teaching relaxation strategies. Which intervention is
being used?
A. Flooding
B. Systematic desensitization
C. Dream analysis
D. Motivational interviewing - Correct Answer - B. Systematic
desensitization
Systematic desensitization combines gradual exposure with relaxation
techniques to reduce anxiety responses associated with feared situations.
A client with depression says, “Nothing will ever improve. My future is
hopeless.” The PMHNP helps the client identify strengths and develop
small achievable goals. Which approach is being used?
A. Solution-focused therapy
B. Psychoanalysis
C. Gestalt therapy
D. Exposure therapy - Correct Answer - A. Solution-focused therapy
Solution-focused therapy emphasizes strengths, existing resources, and
practical steps toward improvement rather than focusing extensively on
problems.
pg. 2
,A PMHNP is conducting psychotherapy with a client experiencing panic
attacks. The therapist asks the client to identify physical sensations,
thoughts, and behaviors occurring before panic episodes. Which CBT
component is being applied?
A. Functional analysis
B. Catharsis
C. Interpretation
D. Transference - Correct Answer - A. Functional analysis
Functional analysis examines triggers, thoughts, emotions, and
behaviors to understand patterns maintaining psychiatric symptoms.
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washes their
hands due to contamination fears. The PMHNP recommends gradual
exposure to contamination triggers while preventing ritual behaviors.
Which treatment is indicated?
A. ERP
B. IPT
C. Supportive therapy
D. Narrative therapy - Correct Answer - A. ERP
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is an evidence-based therapy
for OCD that reduces compulsive behaviors by preventing ritual
responses after exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli.
A 27-year-old client with social anxiety disorder reports avoiding
presentations because of fear of embarrassment. The PMHNP helps the
client practice realistic self-statements and gradually participate in social
situations. What is the primary focus of this intervention?
A. Insight
pg. 3
, B. Behavior change
C. Dream analysis
D. Childhood review - Correct Answer - B. Behavior change
CBT-based interventions for anxiety disorders target maladaptive
thoughts and avoidance behaviors by developing healthier coping
responses and increasing exposure to feared situations.
A client tells the PMHNP, “My depression started after I lost my job and
now I feel disconnected from everyone.” The therapist explores
relationship patterns, social support, and recent life changes. Which
psychotherapy approach is most appropriate?
A. IPT
B. DBT
C. ERP
D. Psychodynamic therapy - Correct Answer - A. IPT
Interpersonal psychotherapy addresses problems involving grief, role
transitions, interpersonal disputes, and social isolation that contribute to
psychiatric symptoms.
During a therapy session, a client begins crying while discussing a
deceased parent. The PMHNP allows emotional expression without
interrupting and provides a supportive environment. Which therapeutic
factor is being promoted?
A. Confrontation
B. Catharsis
C. Interpretation
D. Conditioning - Correct Answer - B. Catharsis
pg. 4
NEWEST 2026/ 2027 TEST BANK| MSN674
PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH
NURSE PRACTITIONER (PMHNP) FINAL EXAM PREP
WITH COMPLETE 350 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED
A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
A client with borderline personality disorder frequently engages in self-
harm after interpersonal conflicts. The PMHNP begins teaching
mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance skills. Which
therapy is most appropriate?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. DBT
C. Supportive therapy
D. Exposure therapy - Correct Answer - B. DBT
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is specifically designed for
borderline personality disorder and emphasizes emotional regulation,
distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness.
A 45-year-old client recently lost a spouse and reports difficulty
adjusting to the life changes. The PMHNP focuses sessions on
improving communication skills, resolving grief-related role transitions,
and strengthening social support. Which therapy best fits this treatment?
A. EMDR
B. CBT
C. IPT
pg. 1
,D. ACT - Correct Answer - C. IPT
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) focuses on interpersonal
relationships, grief, role transitions, and relationship conflicts
contributing to psychiatric symptoms.
A trauma survivor avoids driving because of a previous motor vehicle
accident. The PMHNP gradually exposes the client to driving-related
situations while teaching relaxation strategies. Which intervention is
being used?
A. Flooding
B. Systematic desensitization
C. Dream analysis
D. Motivational interviewing - Correct Answer - B. Systematic
desensitization
Systematic desensitization combines gradual exposure with relaxation
techniques to reduce anxiety responses associated with feared situations.
A client with depression says, “Nothing will ever improve. My future is
hopeless.” The PMHNP helps the client identify strengths and develop
small achievable goals. Which approach is being used?
A. Solution-focused therapy
B. Psychoanalysis
C. Gestalt therapy
D. Exposure therapy - Correct Answer - A. Solution-focused therapy
Solution-focused therapy emphasizes strengths, existing resources, and
practical steps toward improvement rather than focusing extensively on
problems.
pg. 2
,A PMHNP is conducting psychotherapy with a client experiencing panic
attacks. The therapist asks the client to identify physical sensations,
thoughts, and behaviors occurring before panic episodes. Which CBT
component is being applied?
A. Functional analysis
B. Catharsis
C. Interpretation
D. Transference - Correct Answer - A. Functional analysis
Functional analysis examines triggers, thoughts, emotions, and
behaviors to understand patterns maintaining psychiatric symptoms.
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washes their
hands due to contamination fears. The PMHNP recommends gradual
exposure to contamination triggers while preventing ritual behaviors.
Which treatment is indicated?
A. ERP
B. IPT
C. Supportive therapy
D. Narrative therapy - Correct Answer - A. ERP
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is an evidence-based therapy
for OCD that reduces compulsive behaviors by preventing ritual
responses after exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli.
A 27-year-old client with social anxiety disorder reports avoiding
presentations because of fear of embarrassment. The PMHNP helps the
client practice realistic self-statements and gradually participate in social
situations. What is the primary focus of this intervention?
A. Insight
pg. 3
, B. Behavior change
C. Dream analysis
D. Childhood review - Correct Answer - B. Behavior change
CBT-based interventions for anxiety disorders target maladaptive
thoughts and avoidance behaviors by developing healthier coping
responses and increasing exposure to feared situations.
A client tells the PMHNP, “My depression started after I lost my job and
now I feel disconnected from everyone.” The therapist explores
relationship patterns, social support, and recent life changes. Which
psychotherapy approach is most appropriate?
A. IPT
B. DBT
C. ERP
D. Psychodynamic therapy - Correct Answer - A. IPT
Interpersonal psychotherapy addresses problems involving grief, role
transitions, interpersonal disputes, and social isolation that contribute to
psychiatric symptoms.
During a therapy session, a client begins crying while discussing a
deceased parent. The PMHNP allows emotional expression without
interrupting and provides a supportive environment. Which therapeutic
factor is being promoted?
A. Confrontation
B. Catharsis
C. Interpretation
D. Conditioning - Correct Answer - B. Catharsis
pg. 4
