2026/2027
NR 668 CEA Exam 2026/2027 In-Depth
Study Notes, Practice Exams, and
Comprehensive Quiz Review for Nursing
Students
Question 1:
A 19-year-old college student expresses uncertainty about continuing her education
and reports persistent negative thinking patterns. Which nonpharmacologic
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Group therapy
C. Cognitive behavioral therapy
D. Family therapy
Correct Answer: C. Cognitive behavioral therapy
Rationale:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is highly effective for addressing maladaptive
thought patterns and cognitive distortions. It focuses on identifying and restructuring
negative beliefs that influence emotions and behaviors, making it ideal for individuals
experiencing indecision and negative thinking. Psychoanalysis is long-term and
insight-oriented, group therapy focuses on interpersonal learning, and family therapy
addresses systemic family dynamics rather than individual cognition.
Question 2:
A patient demonstrates difficulty identifying emotions, lacks imagination, and
struggles to interpret others’ feelings. Which condition best describes these symptoms?
A. Alexithymia
B. Agnosia
C. Apathy
D. Anhedonia
Correct Answer: A. Alexithymia
Rationale:
Alexithymia refers to an impaired ability to identify and describe emotions, both in
oneself and others. It is commonly associated with psychosomatic disorders and
certain psychiatric conditions. Agnosia involves inability to recognize objects, apathy
refers to lack of motivation, and anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure.
,2026/2027
Question 3:
Which therapeutic approach focuses on grief, role transitions, and improving current
interpersonal relationships?
A. Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
B. Psychoanalysis
C. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
D. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Correct Answer: A. Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
Rationale:
IPT specifically targets interpersonal relationships and life transitions, such as grief
and role changes. It emphasizes improving communication and relational functioning.
Psychoanalysis focuses on unconscious processes, EMDR is used for trauma, and
CBT focuses on cognition rather than relationships.
Question 4:
A patient with a Cluster B personality disorder exhibits impulsivity, emotional
instability, and self-harming behavior. Which treatment is most appropriate?
A. Expressive psychotherapy
B. Psychoanalytical psychotherapy
C. Narrative therapy
D. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Correct Answer: A. Expressive psychotherapy
Rationale:
Expressive psychotherapy helps patients explore and regulate emotions, making it
beneficial for individuals with Cluster B personality disorders, particularly borderline
personality disorder. Psychoanalytic therapy is less structured, narrative therapy
focuses on personal stories, and ECT is reserved for severe mood disorders.
Question 5:
Rationalization and repression are classified under which category of defense
mechanisms?
A. Neurotic
B. Mature
C. Immature
D. Primitive
Correct Answer: A. Neurotic
,2026/2027
Rationale:
Neurotic defense mechanisms, such as rationalization and repression, are commonly
seen in individuals attempting to manage internal conflict. Mature defenses (e.g.,
humor) are adaptive, while immature and primitive defenses (e.g., projection, splitting)
are less adaptive and often seen in personality disorders.
Question 6:
In group therapy, which statement is most accurate?
A. Blocking is needed during the initial stage to establish norms
B. Closed groups prohibit male participants
C. Clarifying prevents emotional exploration
D. Collaborative empiricism presents facts as absolute truths
Correct Answer: A. Blocking is needed during the initial stage to establish norms
Rationale:
Blocking is used early in group therapy to prevent disruptive behavior and maintain
structure. Closed groups limit membership after formation, not based on gender.
Clarifying enhances understanding, and collaborative empiricism encourages
exploration rather than rigid facts.
Question 7:
A patient learns to accept themselves despite negative thoughts about their appearance.
This reflects which concept?
A. Coping self-statement
B. Cohesion
C. Linking
D. Projection
Correct Answer: A. Coping self-statement
Rationale:
Coping self-statements help individuals challenge negative thoughts and reinforce
self-acceptance. Cohesion refers to group bonding, linking connects group members’
experiences, and projection involves attributing one’s feelings to others.
Question 8:
A patient attributes emotional outbursts to brain function rather than feelings. Which
defense mechanism is demonstrated?
A. Intellectualization
B. Level setting
, 2026/2027
C. Monopolizing
D. Operant conditioning
Correct Answer: A. Intellectualization
Rationale:
Intellectualization involves focusing on logic and scientific explanations to avoid
emotional distress. It distances the individual from feelings. Other options do not
represent defense mechanisms.
Question 9:
A group member feels unfairly targeted by others. This is an example of:
A. Scapegoating
B. Negative milieu
C. Blocking
D. Collaborative empiricism
Correct Answer: A. Scapegoating
Rationale:
Scapegoating occurs when one individual is singled out and blamed by the group. It is
a known risk in group therapy. Other options do not reflect this group dynamic.
Question 10:
A therapy approach emphasizes that emotional distress is caused by beliefs rather than
events. Which therapy supports this?
A. Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)
B. Feminist therapy
C. Gestalt therapy
D. Adlerian therapy
Correct Answer: A. Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)
Rationale:
REBT focuses on irrational beliefs as the source of emotional distress. It teaches
clients to challenge these beliefs. Other therapies emphasize different aspects such as
awareness, social context, or personal meaning.
Question 11:
During which stage of group therapy do members begin expressing themselves more
openly?
NR 668 CEA Exam 2026/2027 In-Depth
Study Notes, Practice Exams, and
Comprehensive Quiz Review for Nursing
Students
Question 1:
A 19-year-old college student expresses uncertainty about continuing her education
and reports persistent negative thinking patterns. Which nonpharmacologic
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Group therapy
C. Cognitive behavioral therapy
D. Family therapy
Correct Answer: C. Cognitive behavioral therapy
Rationale:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is highly effective for addressing maladaptive
thought patterns and cognitive distortions. It focuses on identifying and restructuring
negative beliefs that influence emotions and behaviors, making it ideal for individuals
experiencing indecision and negative thinking. Psychoanalysis is long-term and
insight-oriented, group therapy focuses on interpersonal learning, and family therapy
addresses systemic family dynamics rather than individual cognition.
Question 2:
A patient demonstrates difficulty identifying emotions, lacks imagination, and
struggles to interpret others’ feelings. Which condition best describes these symptoms?
A. Alexithymia
B. Agnosia
C. Apathy
D. Anhedonia
Correct Answer: A. Alexithymia
Rationale:
Alexithymia refers to an impaired ability to identify and describe emotions, both in
oneself and others. It is commonly associated with psychosomatic disorders and
certain psychiatric conditions. Agnosia involves inability to recognize objects, apathy
refers to lack of motivation, and anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure.
,2026/2027
Question 3:
Which therapeutic approach focuses on grief, role transitions, and improving current
interpersonal relationships?
A. Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
B. Psychoanalysis
C. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
D. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Correct Answer: A. Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
Rationale:
IPT specifically targets interpersonal relationships and life transitions, such as grief
and role changes. It emphasizes improving communication and relational functioning.
Psychoanalysis focuses on unconscious processes, EMDR is used for trauma, and
CBT focuses on cognition rather than relationships.
Question 4:
A patient with a Cluster B personality disorder exhibits impulsivity, emotional
instability, and self-harming behavior. Which treatment is most appropriate?
A. Expressive psychotherapy
B. Psychoanalytical psychotherapy
C. Narrative therapy
D. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Correct Answer: A. Expressive psychotherapy
Rationale:
Expressive psychotherapy helps patients explore and regulate emotions, making it
beneficial for individuals with Cluster B personality disorders, particularly borderline
personality disorder. Psychoanalytic therapy is less structured, narrative therapy
focuses on personal stories, and ECT is reserved for severe mood disorders.
Question 5:
Rationalization and repression are classified under which category of defense
mechanisms?
A. Neurotic
B. Mature
C. Immature
D. Primitive
Correct Answer: A. Neurotic
,2026/2027
Rationale:
Neurotic defense mechanisms, such as rationalization and repression, are commonly
seen in individuals attempting to manage internal conflict. Mature defenses (e.g.,
humor) are adaptive, while immature and primitive defenses (e.g., projection, splitting)
are less adaptive and often seen in personality disorders.
Question 6:
In group therapy, which statement is most accurate?
A. Blocking is needed during the initial stage to establish norms
B. Closed groups prohibit male participants
C. Clarifying prevents emotional exploration
D. Collaborative empiricism presents facts as absolute truths
Correct Answer: A. Blocking is needed during the initial stage to establish norms
Rationale:
Blocking is used early in group therapy to prevent disruptive behavior and maintain
structure. Closed groups limit membership after formation, not based on gender.
Clarifying enhances understanding, and collaborative empiricism encourages
exploration rather than rigid facts.
Question 7:
A patient learns to accept themselves despite negative thoughts about their appearance.
This reflects which concept?
A. Coping self-statement
B. Cohesion
C. Linking
D. Projection
Correct Answer: A. Coping self-statement
Rationale:
Coping self-statements help individuals challenge negative thoughts and reinforce
self-acceptance. Cohesion refers to group bonding, linking connects group members’
experiences, and projection involves attributing one’s feelings to others.
Question 8:
A patient attributes emotional outbursts to brain function rather than feelings. Which
defense mechanism is demonstrated?
A. Intellectualization
B. Level setting
, 2026/2027
C. Monopolizing
D. Operant conditioning
Correct Answer: A. Intellectualization
Rationale:
Intellectualization involves focusing on logic and scientific explanations to avoid
emotional distress. It distances the individual from feelings. Other options do not
represent defense mechanisms.
Question 9:
A group member feels unfairly targeted by others. This is an example of:
A. Scapegoating
B. Negative milieu
C. Blocking
D. Collaborative empiricism
Correct Answer: A. Scapegoating
Rationale:
Scapegoating occurs when one individual is singled out and blamed by the group. It is
a known risk in group therapy. Other options do not reflect this group dynamic.
Question 10:
A therapy approach emphasizes that emotional distress is caused by beliefs rather than
events. Which therapy supports this?
A. Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)
B. Feminist therapy
C. Gestalt therapy
D. Adlerian therapy
Correct Answer: A. Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)
Rationale:
REBT focuses on irrational beliefs as the source of emotional distress. It teaches
clients to challenge these beliefs. Other therapies emphasize different aspects such as
awareness, social context, or personal meaning.
Question 11:
During which stage of group therapy do members begin expressing themselves more
openly?
