NRNP 6645 Final Exam Practice Guide 2025/2026 – Walden University PMHNP Psychotherapy Review
NRNP 6645 FINAL EXAM 2025/2026
WALDEN UNIVERSITY PMHNP
PSYCHOTHERAPY PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
Section 1: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Question 1
A patient with generalized anxiety disorder states, “Everything always goes wrong for me.”
Which CBT technique is most appropriate to address this thought?
A. Free association B. Cognitive restructuring C. Dream interpretation D. Empty-chair
technique
Correct Answer: B. Cognitive restructuring
Rationale: CBT focuses on identifying and challenging cognitive distortions. Cognitive
restructuring helps patients evaluate irrational or automatic negative thoughts.
Question 2
Which of the following is considered a core principle of CBT?
A. Unconscious conflicts drive behavior B. Insight alone produces change C. Thoughts
influence emotions and behaviors D. Childhood experiences are always the primary cause
of symptoms
Correct Answer: C. Thoughts influence emotions and behaviors
Rationale: CBT is based on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Question 3
A therapist asks a patient to monitor negative thoughts throughout the week using a
structured worksheet. This intervention is known as:
, NRNP 6645 Final Exam Practice Guide 2025/2026 – Walden University PMHNP Psychotherapy Review
A. Exposure therapy B. Behavioral activation C. Thought recording D. Interpretation
Correct Answer: C. Thought recording
Rationale: Thought records help patients identify automatic thoughts and associated
emotions.
Section 2: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Question 4
DBT was originally developed for patients diagnosed with:
A. Bipolar disorder B. Borderline personality disorder C. Schizophrenia D. Major depressive
disorder
Correct Answer: B. Borderline personality disorder
Rationale: DBT was developed by Marsha Linehan for individuals with chronic suicidality
and borderline personality disorder.
Question 5
Which skill is included in DBT?
A. Dream analysis B. Mindfulness C. Hypnosis D. Projection analysis
Correct Answer: B. Mindfulness
Rationale: Core DBT modules include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional
regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Question 6
A patient reports engaging in self-harm during emotional distress. Which DBT concept is
most important initially?
A. Ego strengthening B. Reality testing C. Distress tolerance D. Interpretation of defense
mechanisms
Correct Answer: C. Distress tolerance
NRNP 6645 FINAL EXAM 2025/2026
WALDEN UNIVERSITY PMHNP
PSYCHOTHERAPY PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
Section 1: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Question 1
A patient with generalized anxiety disorder states, “Everything always goes wrong for me.”
Which CBT technique is most appropriate to address this thought?
A. Free association B. Cognitive restructuring C. Dream interpretation D. Empty-chair
technique
Correct Answer: B. Cognitive restructuring
Rationale: CBT focuses on identifying and challenging cognitive distortions. Cognitive
restructuring helps patients evaluate irrational or automatic negative thoughts.
Question 2
Which of the following is considered a core principle of CBT?
A. Unconscious conflicts drive behavior B. Insight alone produces change C. Thoughts
influence emotions and behaviors D. Childhood experiences are always the primary cause
of symptoms
Correct Answer: C. Thoughts influence emotions and behaviors
Rationale: CBT is based on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Question 3
A therapist asks a patient to monitor negative thoughts throughout the week using a
structured worksheet. This intervention is known as:
, NRNP 6645 Final Exam Practice Guide 2025/2026 – Walden University PMHNP Psychotherapy Review
A. Exposure therapy B. Behavioral activation C. Thought recording D. Interpretation
Correct Answer: C. Thought recording
Rationale: Thought records help patients identify automatic thoughts and associated
emotions.
Section 2: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Question 4
DBT was originally developed for patients diagnosed with:
A. Bipolar disorder B. Borderline personality disorder C. Schizophrenia D. Major depressive
disorder
Correct Answer: B. Borderline personality disorder
Rationale: DBT was developed by Marsha Linehan for individuals with chronic suicidality
and borderline personality disorder.
Question 5
Which skill is included in DBT?
A. Dream analysis B. Mindfulness C. Hypnosis D. Projection analysis
Correct Answer: B. Mindfulness
Rationale: Core DBT modules include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional
regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Question 6
A patient reports engaging in self-harm during emotional distress. Which DBT concept is
most important initially?
A. Ego strengthening B. Reality testing C. Distress tolerance D. Interpretation of defense
mechanisms
Correct Answer: C. Distress tolerance
