C HAPTER 34: T HERAPEUTIC G ROUPS
Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric -Mental Health Nursing: 8th Edition
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 th at 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 members 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, but the
primary dynamic is the splitting off fro m the main group.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: 611 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrit y
,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 memb ership 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)
REF: 611 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrit y
3. During a therapy group that uses existential/Gestalt theory, patients
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 comme nt?
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 actio n. 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)
REF: 612 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrit y
4. A group begins the working phase. One member has a childhood history of
neglect and ridicule by parents. Which comment would the group leader
expect from this member?
a. My boss is always expecting more of me than the others, but talking
to him would onl y make it worse.
b. Im sorry for talking all the time, but there is so much going on in
my life. I cant remember what I already said.
c. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Maybe some of them will
help. It wont hurt to give them a try.
d. This group is stupid. Nobody here can help anybody else because we
are all so confused. Its a waste.
ANS: A
Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric -Mental Health Nursing: 8th Edition
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 th at 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 members 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, but the
primary dynamic is the splitting off fro m the main group.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: 611 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrit y
,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 memb ership 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)
REF: 611 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrit y
3. During a therapy group that uses existential/Gestalt theory, patients
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 comme nt?
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 actio n. 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)
REF: 612 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrit y
4. A group begins the working phase. One member has a childhood history of
neglect and ridicule by parents. Which comment would the group leader
expect from this member?
a. My boss is always expecting more of me than the others, but talking
to him would onl y make it worse.
b. Im sorry for talking all the time, but there is so much going on in
my life. I cant remember what I already said.
c. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Maybe some of them will
help. It wont hurt to give them a try.
d. This group is stupid. Nobody here can help anybody else because we
are all so confused. Its a waste.
ANS: A
