NRNP 6645 PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS – WALDEN UNIVERSITY – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE AND PRACTICE EXAM MATERIAL
1. What stage of learning is the novice advanced practice psychiatric nurse in
if they become aware of their incompetence?: Conscious incompetency.
2. According to Freud, what problematic trait is associated with failure to learn
independence and control?: Excessive dependency.
3. What is the difference between standards of care and practice guidelines?-
: Standards of care are legally binding while practice guidelines are not.
4. What does primary thinking recognize in CBT cognitive processes?: Indetermi-
nate, negative, and irrational thinking as part of human action.
5. What does secondary thinking in CBT recognize?: Indeterminate, negative, and irrational
thinking as foremost.
6. According to Yalom, what role does imitative behavior play in therapy?: Imita-
tive behavior generally plays a more important role in early stages of a group.
7. What is a therapeutic benefit of imitative behavior?: It may allow an individual to
experiment with a new behavior.
8. Who are not ideal candidates for psychoanalytic psychotherapy?: Patients with
primarily primitive defenses.
9. What is important for a family therapist during the initial contact with a
family seeking therapy?: Identify the presenting problem and arrange a consultation with everyone living
in the family household.
10. What is consistent with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?: CBT is based on a
theoretical framework that maintains how an individual structures experiences largely determines how one feels and
behaves.
11. What are maladaptive thoughts in CBT rooted in?: Irrational or illogical assumptions.
12. How can emotions and behaviors be changed according to CBT?: By changing
one's thoughts.
13. What is the focus of primary thinking in CBT?: Viewing the social and cultural world in
determinate, positive, and rational terms.
14. What is the role of practice guidelines in relation to standards of care?: Practice
guidelines should be followed as written while standards of care are more flexible.
15. What is a characteristic of patients with neurotic to healthy personality or-
ganization in psychotherapy?: They are considered ideal candidates for psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
, NRNP 6645 PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS – WALDEN UNIVERSITY – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE AND PRACTICE EXAM MATERIAL
16. What is the purpose of identifying the presenting problem in family thera-
py?: To develop a therapeutic alliance and strategy for fixing the problem.
17. What is the significance of finding out what we are not in therapy?: It is progress
toward finding out what we are.
18. What does CBT maintain about the structure of experiences?: It largely determines
how one feels and behaves.
19. What is the role of the family therapist in ensuring family therapy is neces-
sary?: Arrange a consultation with the caller to ensure family therapy is really necessary.
20. What is the relationship between thoughts and behaviors in CBT?: Changing
thoughts can lead to changes in emotions and behaviors.
21. What is the importance of the therapeutic alliance in family therapy?: It helps
in developing strategies to address the presenting problem.
22. What is the role of excessive guilt in Freud's theory?: It is one of the problematic traits
associated with failure to learn independence and control.
23. What does the term 'cognitive triad' refer to in CBT?: Maladaptive thoughts that
influence feelings and behaviors.
24. What therapeutic factor is exemplified when a group member realizes
others share feelings of incompetency?: Universality
25. What is the basic strategy of dynamic supportive therapy that involves
assisting with reality testing and social skills?: Lend psychic structure
26. Which strategy of dynamic supportive therapy involves advocating for the
patient to promote independence?: Make connections
27. What distinguishes psychoanalytic therapy from other therapies?: The deep
analysis of the patient relationship with the therapist.
28. What concept refers to the idea that every thought and behavior has a
cause?: Psychic determinism
29. In supportive psychodynamic psychotherapy, what do sessions most often
focus on?: B and C (Life stresses and feelings, Life stresses and problem-solving)
30. Which statement is consistent with the use of direct advice in imparting
information?: Direct advice is often an important clue in elucidation of interpersonal pathology in the group.
31. In solution-focused therapy with a family, what is the primary focus?: Help the
family amplify exceptions to their problem and recognize ettective solutions already in their repertoire.
, NRNP 6645 PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS – WALDEN UNIVERSITY – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE AND PRACTICE EXAM MATERIAL
32. Which statement is NOT consistent with clinical practice guidelines for
psychodynamic therapy?: Psychodynamic therapy is considered a first-line treatment for Schizophrenia.
33. What should a new nurse psychotherapist become comfortable with?: Letting
the psychotherapeutic process unfold over time.
34. What can the advanced practice psychiatric nurse assume about a couple's
relationship dynamics based on Appalachian culture?: The wife may have more power in
the relationship, while the husband seems disengaged.
35. What is a culturally consistent framework in family dynamics?: A framework where
the wife is typically the decision maker in the family.
36. How does the couple in therapy perceive gender inequality?: They are aware of it
and are fine with it.
37. What should the advanced practice psychiatric nurse do regarding the
couple's roles?: Further assess roles in the relationship.
38. What is the relationship between resilience and posttraumatic growth ac-
cording to research?: There is a curvilinear relationship between posttraumatic growth and resilience.
39. What is associated with the most growth in relation to resilience?: Moderate
resilience and emotional intelligence.
40. From which of Mahler's stages does borderline pathology evolve?: Problems in
the Rapprochement stage.
41. What does neuroscience suggest about human actions during conflict?: Peo-
ple do things because of biological events in their brain.
42. How can one retrain emotional reactions according to neuroscience?: By
learning to activate their prefrontal cortex.
43. What do psychodynamic psychotherapy interventions focus on?: The person's
emotions and thoughts, deepening understanding of triggers from the past.
44. What is the change agent in relational psychodynamic therapy?: Insight.
45. What is a cultural syndrome?: A group of co-occurring symptoms found in a specific cultural group
that may or may not be recognized as an illness.
46. What therapeutic factor is demonstrated when a group member accuses
the leader of favoritism?: The corrective recapitulation of the primary family group.
47. What is role play in therapy an example of?: Behavioral rehearsal.
, NRNP 6645 PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS – WALDEN UNIVERSITY – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE AND PRACTICE EXAM MATERIAL
48. What is the purpose of social skills training in psychiatric nursing?: To assist
patients in maintaining appropriate social interactions.
49. What cognitive distortion is represented by the thought 'If I was in a rela-
tionship, all of my problems would be solved'?: Fallacy of attachment.
50. What cognitive distortion is present when a teenager says 'See they never
let me do anything!'?: Labeling and mislabeling.
51. What is the role of the advanced practice psychiatric nurse in managing
social skills?: To help patients maintain eye contact, appropriate language, and handshakes.
52. What is the significance of interpersonal learning in group therapy?: It involves
learning from interactions with others in the group.
53. What does the term 'cognitive restructuring' refer to in therapy?: A technique
used to change negative thought patterns.
54. What is the goal of contingency management in therapy?: To modify behavior
through reinforcement.
55. What does bibliotherapy involve in a therapeutic context?: Using literature to help
patients understand and cope with their issues.
56. What is the focus of guided contingency management?: Helping patients learn to
manage their behaviors through structured interventions.
57. What cognitive distortion is exemplified by a teenager stating 'See they
never let me do anything!'?: Overgeneralization
58. What strategies can help widen the Resilience Zone in patients with chronic
hyperarousal?: Exercise, decreasing catteine intake, and imagery.
59. What is a therapeutic factor that operates in all therapy groups?: Social learning.
60. What is the key emotional process of transition for single young adults ac-
cording to the Stages of the Family Life Cycle?: Accepting emotional and financial responsibility
for self.
61. What does current research suggest about the relationship between psy-
chotherapy and psychotropic medication?: Psychotherapy enhances the ettects of psychotropic
medication.
62. What concept reminds us that families are open systems shaped by cultural
assumptions?: Social Constructionism.
ANSWERS – WALDEN UNIVERSITY – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE AND PRACTICE EXAM MATERIAL
1. What stage of learning is the novice advanced practice psychiatric nurse in
if they become aware of their incompetence?: Conscious incompetency.
2. According to Freud, what problematic trait is associated with failure to learn
independence and control?: Excessive dependency.
3. What is the difference between standards of care and practice guidelines?-
: Standards of care are legally binding while practice guidelines are not.
4. What does primary thinking recognize in CBT cognitive processes?: Indetermi-
nate, negative, and irrational thinking as part of human action.
5. What does secondary thinking in CBT recognize?: Indeterminate, negative, and irrational
thinking as foremost.
6. According to Yalom, what role does imitative behavior play in therapy?: Imita-
tive behavior generally plays a more important role in early stages of a group.
7. What is a therapeutic benefit of imitative behavior?: It may allow an individual to
experiment with a new behavior.
8. Who are not ideal candidates for psychoanalytic psychotherapy?: Patients with
primarily primitive defenses.
9. What is important for a family therapist during the initial contact with a
family seeking therapy?: Identify the presenting problem and arrange a consultation with everyone living
in the family household.
10. What is consistent with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?: CBT is based on a
theoretical framework that maintains how an individual structures experiences largely determines how one feels and
behaves.
11. What are maladaptive thoughts in CBT rooted in?: Irrational or illogical assumptions.
12. How can emotions and behaviors be changed according to CBT?: By changing
one's thoughts.
13. What is the focus of primary thinking in CBT?: Viewing the social and cultural world in
determinate, positive, and rational terms.
14. What is the role of practice guidelines in relation to standards of care?: Practice
guidelines should be followed as written while standards of care are more flexible.
15. What is a characteristic of patients with neurotic to healthy personality or-
ganization in psychotherapy?: They are considered ideal candidates for psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
, NRNP 6645 PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS – WALDEN UNIVERSITY – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE AND PRACTICE EXAM MATERIAL
16. What is the purpose of identifying the presenting problem in family thera-
py?: To develop a therapeutic alliance and strategy for fixing the problem.
17. What is the significance of finding out what we are not in therapy?: It is progress
toward finding out what we are.
18. What does CBT maintain about the structure of experiences?: It largely determines
how one feels and behaves.
19. What is the role of the family therapist in ensuring family therapy is neces-
sary?: Arrange a consultation with the caller to ensure family therapy is really necessary.
20. What is the relationship between thoughts and behaviors in CBT?: Changing
thoughts can lead to changes in emotions and behaviors.
21. What is the importance of the therapeutic alliance in family therapy?: It helps
in developing strategies to address the presenting problem.
22. What is the role of excessive guilt in Freud's theory?: It is one of the problematic traits
associated with failure to learn independence and control.
23. What does the term 'cognitive triad' refer to in CBT?: Maladaptive thoughts that
influence feelings and behaviors.
24. What therapeutic factor is exemplified when a group member realizes
others share feelings of incompetency?: Universality
25. What is the basic strategy of dynamic supportive therapy that involves
assisting with reality testing and social skills?: Lend psychic structure
26. Which strategy of dynamic supportive therapy involves advocating for the
patient to promote independence?: Make connections
27. What distinguishes psychoanalytic therapy from other therapies?: The deep
analysis of the patient relationship with the therapist.
28. What concept refers to the idea that every thought and behavior has a
cause?: Psychic determinism
29. In supportive psychodynamic psychotherapy, what do sessions most often
focus on?: B and C (Life stresses and feelings, Life stresses and problem-solving)
30. Which statement is consistent with the use of direct advice in imparting
information?: Direct advice is often an important clue in elucidation of interpersonal pathology in the group.
31. In solution-focused therapy with a family, what is the primary focus?: Help the
family amplify exceptions to their problem and recognize ettective solutions already in their repertoire.
, NRNP 6645 PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS – WALDEN UNIVERSITY – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE AND PRACTICE EXAM MATERIAL
32. Which statement is NOT consistent with clinical practice guidelines for
psychodynamic therapy?: Psychodynamic therapy is considered a first-line treatment for Schizophrenia.
33. What should a new nurse psychotherapist become comfortable with?: Letting
the psychotherapeutic process unfold over time.
34. What can the advanced practice psychiatric nurse assume about a couple's
relationship dynamics based on Appalachian culture?: The wife may have more power in
the relationship, while the husband seems disengaged.
35. What is a culturally consistent framework in family dynamics?: A framework where
the wife is typically the decision maker in the family.
36. How does the couple in therapy perceive gender inequality?: They are aware of it
and are fine with it.
37. What should the advanced practice psychiatric nurse do regarding the
couple's roles?: Further assess roles in the relationship.
38. What is the relationship between resilience and posttraumatic growth ac-
cording to research?: There is a curvilinear relationship between posttraumatic growth and resilience.
39. What is associated with the most growth in relation to resilience?: Moderate
resilience and emotional intelligence.
40. From which of Mahler's stages does borderline pathology evolve?: Problems in
the Rapprochement stage.
41. What does neuroscience suggest about human actions during conflict?: Peo-
ple do things because of biological events in their brain.
42. How can one retrain emotional reactions according to neuroscience?: By
learning to activate their prefrontal cortex.
43. What do psychodynamic psychotherapy interventions focus on?: The person's
emotions and thoughts, deepening understanding of triggers from the past.
44. What is the change agent in relational psychodynamic therapy?: Insight.
45. What is a cultural syndrome?: A group of co-occurring symptoms found in a specific cultural group
that may or may not be recognized as an illness.
46. What therapeutic factor is demonstrated when a group member accuses
the leader of favoritism?: The corrective recapitulation of the primary family group.
47. What is role play in therapy an example of?: Behavioral rehearsal.
, NRNP 6645 PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS – WALDEN UNIVERSITY – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE AND PRACTICE EXAM MATERIAL
48. What is the purpose of social skills training in psychiatric nursing?: To assist
patients in maintaining appropriate social interactions.
49. What cognitive distortion is represented by the thought 'If I was in a rela-
tionship, all of my problems would be solved'?: Fallacy of attachment.
50. What cognitive distortion is present when a teenager says 'See they never
let me do anything!'?: Labeling and mislabeling.
51. What is the role of the advanced practice psychiatric nurse in managing
social skills?: To help patients maintain eye contact, appropriate language, and handshakes.
52. What is the significance of interpersonal learning in group therapy?: It involves
learning from interactions with others in the group.
53. What does the term 'cognitive restructuring' refer to in therapy?: A technique
used to change negative thought patterns.
54. What is the goal of contingency management in therapy?: To modify behavior
through reinforcement.
55. What does bibliotherapy involve in a therapeutic context?: Using literature to help
patients understand and cope with their issues.
56. What is the focus of guided contingency management?: Helping patients learn to
manage their behaviors through structured interventions.
57. What cognitive distortion is exemplified by a teenager stating 'See they
never let me do anything!'?: Overgeneralization
58. What strategies can help widen the Resilience Zone in patients with chronic
hyperarousal?: Exercise, decreasing catteine intake, and imagery.
59. What is a therapeutic factor that operates in all therapy groups?: Social learning.
60. What is the key emotional process of transition for single young adults ac-
cording to the Stages of the Family Life Cycle?: Accepting emotional and financial responsibility
for self.
61. What does current research suggest about the relationship between psy-
chotherapy and psychotropic medication?: Psychotherapy enhances the ettects of psychotropic
medication.
62. What concept reminds us that families are open systems shaped by cultural
assumptions?: Social Constructionism.
