C HAPTER 34: T HERAPEUTIC G ROUPS
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric -Mental Health Nursing: A
Clinical Approach, 9th Edit ion
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Three members of a therapy group share covert glances as other members
of the group describe problems. When one makes a statement that subtl y
criticizes another speaker, the others nod in agreement. Which group
dynamic should the leader suspect?
a. Some members are acting as a subgroup instead of as members of
the main group.
b. Some of the membe rs have become bored and are disregarding
others.
c. Three members are showing their frustration with slower members.
d. The leadership of the group has been ineffective.
ANS: A
Subgroups, small groups isolated within a larger group and functioning
separatel y from it, sometimes form within therapy groups. When this
occurs, subgroup members are cohesive with other subgroup members
but not with the members of the larger group. Members of the subgroup
may be bored or frustrated or expressing passive aggression, bu t the
primary dynamic is the splitting off from the main group.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Client Needs:
Psychosocial Integrity
,2. A therapy group adds new members as others leave. What t ype of group is
evident?
a. Open
b. Closed
c. Homogeneous
d. Heterogeneous
ANS: A
An open group is a group that adds members throughout the life of the
group as other members leave and as more persons who would benefit
from the group become available. A closed group does not add new
members; the membership is established at the beginning and, except
for the occasional losses as some members leave, does not change
thereafter. A homogeneous group includes members who are similar,
and a heterogeneous group includes dissimilar members; not enough
data are provided here to determine which applies in this case.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (Knowledge)
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Client Needs:
Psychosocial Integrity
3. During a therapy group that use s existential/Gestalt theory, clients shared
feelings that occurred at the time of their admission. After a brief silence,
one member says, “Several people have described feeling angry. I would
like to hear from members who had other feelings.” Which group role is
evident by this comment?
a. Energizer
b. Encourager
, c. Compromiser
d. Self-confessor
ANS: B
The member is filling the role of encourager by acknowledging those
who have contributed and encouraging input from others. An energizer
encourages the group to make decisions or take an action. The
compromiser focuses on reducing or resolving conflict to preserve
harmony. A self -confessor verbalizes feelings or observations
unrelated to the group.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl y (Application)
TOP: Nursing Pro cess: Assessment MSC: Client Needs:
Psychosocial Integrity
4. A nurse assesses a client for inclusion in group therapy. This client has a
childhood history of neglect and ridicule by parents. The client says to the
nurse, “My boss always expects more of me than the others but talking to
him would onl y make it worse.” Which type of group would best address
the client’s needs?
a. Support
b. Self-Help
c. Psychoeducational
d. Cognitive-behavioral
ANS: D
Cognitive-behavioral group therapy focuses on specific maladaptive
behaviors and thought patterns. Clients often repeat patterns of
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric -Mental Health Nursing: A
Clinical Approach, 9th Edit ion
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Three members of a therapy group share covert glances as other members
of the group describe problems. When one makes a statement that subtl y
criticizes another speaker, the others nod in agreement. Which group
dynamic should the leader suspect?
a. Some members are acting as a subgroup instead of as members of
the main group.
b. Some of the membe rs have become bored and are disregarding
others.
c. Three members are showing their frustration with slower members.
d. The leadership of the group has been ineffective.
ANS: A
Subgroups, small groups isolated within a larger group and functioning
separatel y from it, sometimes form within therapy groups. When this
occurs, subgroup members are cohesive with other subgroup members
but not with the members of the larger group. Members of the subgroup
may be bored or frustrated or expressing passive aggression, bu t the
primary dynamic is the splitting off from the main group.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Client Needs:
Psychosocial Integrity
,2. A therapy group adds new members as others leave. What t ype of group is
evident?
a. Open
b. Closed
c. Homogeneous
d. Heterogeneous
ANS: A
An open group is a group that adds members throughout the life of the
group as other members leave and as more persons who would benefit
from the group become available. A closed group does not add new
members; the membership is established at the beginning and, except
for the occasional losses as some members leave, does not change
thereafter. A homogeneous group includes members who are similar,
and a heterogeneous group includes dissimilar members; not enough
data are provided here to determine which applies in this case.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (Knowledge)
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Client Needs:
Psychosocial Integrity
3. During a therapy group that use s existential/Gestalt theory, clients shared
feelings that occurred at the time of their admission. After a brief silence,
one member says, “Several people have described feeling angry. I would
like to hear from members who had other feelings.” Which group role is
evident by this comment?
a. Energizer
b. Encourager
, c. Compromiser
d. Self-confessor
ANS: B
The member is filling the role of encourager by acknowledging those
who have contributed and encouraging input from others. An energizer
encourages the group to make decisions or take an action. The
compromiser focuses on reducing or resolving conflict to preserve
harmony. A self -confessor verbalizes feelings or observations
unrelated to the group.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl y (Application)
TOP: Nursing Pro cess: Assessment MSC: Client Needs:
Psychosocial Integrity
4. A nurse assesses a client for inclusion in group therapy. This client has a
childhood history of neglect and ridicule by parents. The client says to the
nurse, “My boss always expects more of me than the others but talking to
him would onl y make it worse.” Which type of group would best address
the client’s needs?
a. Support
b. Self-Help
c. Psychoeducational
d. Cognitive-behavioral
ANS: D
Cognitive-behavioral group therapy focuses on specific maladaptive
behaviors and thought patterns. Clients often repeat patterns of
