NR605 Midterm Exam Diagnosis and
Management in Psychiatric Mental
Health 2025
________ developed the concept of attachment theory - -Bowlby
-his studies of the maternal-infant bond
-individuals form attachments to others and that separation or the threat of separation
can lead to distress and depression
A client and her husband approach the psychotherapist at a mutual friend's party. The
client introduces her husband to the provider who returns the greeting.
May or may not be a boundary violation
Boundary violation
Not a boundary violation - -Not a boundary violation
Rationale: This is not a boundary violation because the client approached the
psychotherapist. If the psychotherapist approached the client, it would be a boundary
violation
A client has a florist shop in town. The psychotherapist needs to send an arrangement
to a friend and typically orders from another shop when he remembers that his client
owns a shop. He orders the flowers from the client's shop.
May or may not be a boundary violation
Boundary violation
Not a boundary violation - -Boundary violation
Rationale: This is probably a boundary violation. It's helpful to avoid dual relationships
when possible.
A client who is alert and oriented declines the PMHNP's treatment recommendation for
an antipsychotic in a non-emergent situation.
Informed consent required
Exception to informed consent - -Informed consent required
Rationale: The client has the capacity to consent and the situation is not emergent. The
ethic of autonomy provides for the client to refuse treatment options.
A client with depression is unhappy about the performance of the anti-depressant that
has been prescribed and would like to discuss alternate treatment options with the
PMHNP.
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Informed consent required
Exception to informed consent - -Informed consent required
Rationale: Clients have a right to information about treatment options with associated
risks and benefits.
A no-suicide or no-harm contract: - --not a legal document but rather an agreement
between the client and therapist about what the client should do if they become suicidal
-involves a commitment by the client to not commit suicide.
-may not be effective in a crisis and is not a substitute for clinical judgment.
-only as beneficial as the therapeutic alliance
A psychotherapist agrees to a blind date with a client's sister.
May or may not be a boundary violation
Boundary violation
Not a boundary violation - -May or may not be a boundary violation
Rationale: This may or may not be a boundary violation depending on whether the client
is a current client. Refer to state-specific guidelines for information about boundaries
with former clients.
A psychotherapist holds the client's hand during the client's retelling of a traumatic event
after the client reaches out.
May or may not be a boundary violation
Boundary violation
Not a boundary violation - -Not a boundary violation
Rationale: This is not a boundary violation. Touch may be therapeutic in certain
situations.
A psychotherapist shares her history of sexual assault with a client who has had a
similar experience.
May or may not be a boundary violation
Boundary violation
Not a boundary violation - -May or may not be a boundary violation
Rationale: This may or may not be a boundary violation. Some forms of psychotherapy
may include self-disclosure as part of the therapeutic alliance.
A psychotherapist was in a car accident and needs auto body work completed. When
the psychotherapist arrives at the auto body shop suggested by the insurance company,
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she realizes that the shop is managed by one of her clients. The psychotherapist
schedules the needed repairs.
May or may not be a boundary violation
Boundary violation
Not a boundary violation - -May or may not be a boundary violation
Rationale: This may or may not be a boundary violation. Dual relationships may be
problematic; however, if the psychotherapist resides in a small town and the body shop
is the only shop approved by insurance, it may not be a boundary violation.
A very anxious client is seeking treatment for anxiety symptoms. When the PMHNP
begins to explain the treatment options, the client says she is too anxious to hear them
and asks that the PMHNP select the best option.
Exception to informed consent
Informed consent required - -Exception to informed consent
Rationale: Clients may choose to waive their right to informed consent.
Ahmad recently experienced a nasty breakup with his girlfriend after she cheated on
him. While he would like to call her to vent his anger and frustration, instead, he
channels his energy into training for a marathon.
-Displacement
-Denial
-Sublimation
-Projection
-Regression
-Repression
-Rationalization
-Intellectualization - -Sublimation
Sublimation occurs when a person transfers unacceptable impulses into socially
acceptable forms.
Aleksander received an inferior performance evaluation at work. When he arrived home
after a long day, he shouted at his 3-year-old daughter for leaving her toys out in the
playroom.
-Displacement
-Denial
-Sublimation
-Projection
-Regression
-Repression
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-Rationalization
-Intellectualization - -Displacement
Displacement occurs when a person expresses an emotion, such as anger or
frustration, towards a "safe" person rather than towards the cause of the emotion.
An agitated, hallucinating client with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and no designated
decision-maker threatens to shoot his neighbors. The client acts out violently towards
the security guard in the emergency department. The PMHNP orders haloperidol and
lorazepam for the client.
Exception to informed consent
Informed consent required - -Exception to informed consent
Rationale: The client does not have the capacity to provide consent.
Anderson has been having an affair with his secretary at work. He has become highly
suspicious of his wife and frequently accuses her of being attracted to her boss.
-Displacement
-Denial
-Sublimation
-Projection
-Regression
-Repression
-Rationalization
-Intellectualization - -Projection
Projection involves ascribing one's feelings to another person.
Brief Psychodynamic Therapy - --used when the client has a specific issue or conflict
such as difficulty in relationships, school or work, or communication.
-time-limited form of psychotherapy
• occurs fewer days per week over a shorter length of time
• typically 20-30 sessions with a termination date set at the beginning of therapy
-Goals: enhancement of self-awareness and understanding the impact of the past on
present behavior
-Therapeutic Techniques: pressure, or encouragement, to examine feelings and
situations; challenge to defenses, and head-on collision to overcome defenses.
Characteristics of IPT - --Time-limited: usually 12-16 weekly sessions
-Focused
-Based on current relationships
-Interpersonal, not intrapsychic, cognitive, or behavioral
-Aware of personality, but not focused on it
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