ESSENTIALS OF PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING COMMUNICATION APPROACH TO
EVIDENCE BASED CARE BY ELIZABETH
VARCAROLIS 2026 TEST PAPER PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION
SET
◉ Nicole is the nurse leader of a childbirth preparation group. Each
week, she shows various films and sets out various reading
materials. She expects the participants to utilize their time on a topic
of their choice or practice skills they have observed on the films.
Two couples have dropped out of the group, stating, "This is a big
waste of time." Which type of group and style of leadership is
described in this situation? Answer: Teaching; laissez-faire
◉ Eric is a staff nurse on a surgical unit. He has been selected as
leader of a newly established group of staff nurses organized to
determine ways to decrease the number of medication errors
occurring on the unit. Eric has definite ideas about how to bring this
about. He has also applied for the position of Head Nurse on the unit
and believes that if he is successful in leading the group toward
achievement of its goals, he can also facilitate his chances for
promotion. At each meeting, he addresses the group in an effort to
convince the members to adopt his ideas. Which type of group and
,style of leadership is described in this situation? Answer: Task;
autocratic
◉ Aisha is a psychiatric nurse who has been selected to lead a group
for women who desire to lose weight. The criterion for membership
is that they must be at least 20 pounds overweight. All have tried to
lose weight on their own many times in the past without success. At
their first meeting, Aisha provides suggestions as the members
determine what their goals will be and how they plan to achieve
those goals. They decide how often they want to meet and what they
plan to do at each meeting. Which type of group and style of
leadership is described in this situation? Answer: Supportive-
therapeutic; democratic
◉ The nurse leader is explaining about group "therapeutic factors"
to members of the group. She tells the members that group
situations are beneficial because members can see that they are not
alone in their experiences. This is an example of which therapeutic
factor? Answer: Universality
◉ Carol is the nurse leader of a bereavement group for widows.
Nancy is a new member. She listens to the group and learns that Jane
has been a widow for 5 years. Jane has adjusted well, and Nancy
thinks maybe she can too. This is an example of which therapeutic
factor? Answer: Installation of hope
, ◉ Paul is a member of an anger management group. He knew that
people did not want to be his friend because of his violent temper. In
the group, he has learned to control his temper and form satisfactory
interpersonal relationships with others. This is an example of which
therapeutic factor? Answer: Development of socializing techniques
◉ Benjamin is a member of an Alcoholics Anonymous group. He
learned about the effects of alcohol on the body when a nurse from
the chemical dependency unit spoke to the group. This is an example
of which therapeutic factor? Answer: Imparting of information
◉ Sandra is the nurse leader of a supportive-therapeutic group for
individuals with anxiety disorders. In this group, Helen talks
incessantly. When someone else tries to make a comment, Helen
refuses to allow him or her to speak. What type of member role is
Helen assuming in this group? Answer: Monopolizer
◉ Sandra is the nurse leader of a supportive-therapeutic group for
individuals with anxiety disorders. On the first day the group meets,
Valerie speaks first and begins by sharing the intimate details of her
incestuous relationship with her father. What type of member role is
Valerie assuming in this group? Answer: Seducer
◉ Sandra is the nurse leader of a supportive-therapeutic group for
individuals with anxiety disorders. Violet, who lacks self-confidence,
states to the group, "Maybe if I became a blond, my boyfriend would
love me more." Larry responds, "Listen, dummy, you need more than
NURSING COMMUNICATION APPROACH TO
EVIDENCE BASED CARE BY ELIZABETH
VARCAROLIS 2026 TEST PAPER PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION
SET
◉ Nicole is the nurse leader of a childbirth preparation group. Each
week, she shows various films and sets out various reading
materials. She expects the participants to utilize their time on a topic
of their choice or practice skills they have observed on the films.
Two couples have dropped out of the group, stating, "This is a big
waste of time." Which type of group and style of leadership is
described in this situation? Answer: Teaching; laissez-faire
◉ Eric is a staff nurse on a surgical unit. He has been selected as
leader of a newly established group of staff nurses organized to
determine ways to decrease the number of medication errors
occurring on the unit. Eric has definite ideas about how to bring this
about. He has also applied for the position of Head Nurse on the unit
and believes that if he is successful in leading the group toward
achievement of its goals, he can also facilitate his chances for
promotion. At each meeting, he addresses the group in an effort to
convince the members to adopt his ideas. Which type of group and
,style of leadership is described in this situation? Answer: Task;
autocratic
◉ Aisha is a psychiatric nurse who has been selected to lead a group
for women who desire to lose weight. The criterion for membership
is that they must be at least 20 pounds overweight. All have tried to
lose weight on their own many times in the past without success. At
their first meeting, Aisha provides suggestions as the members
determine what their goals will be and how they plan to achieve
those goals. They decide how often they want to meet and what they
plan to do at each meeting. Which type of group and style of
leadership is described in this situation? Answer: Supportive-
therapeutic; democratic
◉ The nurse leader is explaining about group "therapeutic factors"
to members of the group. She tells the members that group
situations are beneficial because members can see that they are not
alone in their experiences. This is an example of which therapeutic
factor? Answer: Universality
◉ Carol is the nurse leader of a bereavement group for widows.
Nancy is a new member. She listens to the group and learns that Jane
has been a widow for 5 years. Jane has adjusted well, and Nancy
thinks maybe she can too. This is an example of which therapeutic
factor? Answer: Installation of hope
, ◉ Paul is a member of an anger management group. He knew that
people did not want to be his friend because of his violent temper. In
the group, he has learned to control his temper and form satisfactory
interpersonal relationships with others. This is an example of which
therapeutic factor? Answer: Development of socializing techniques
◉ Benjamin is a member of an Alcoholics Anonymous group. He
learned about the effects of alcohol on the body when a nurse from
the chemical dependency unit spoke to the group. This is an example
of which therapeutic factor? Answer: Imparting of information
◉ Sandra is the nurse leader of a supportive-therapeutic group for
individuals with anxiety disorders. In this group, Helen talks
incessantly. When someone else tries to make a comment, Helen
refuses to allow him or her to speak. What type of member role is
Helen assuming in this group? Answer: Monopolizer
◉ Sandra is the nurse leader of a supportive-therapeutic group for
individuals with anxiety disorders. On the first day the group meets,
Valerie speaks first and begins by sharing the intimate details of her
incestuous relationship with her father. What type of member role is
Valerie assuming in this group? Answer: Seducer
◉ Sandra is the nurse leader of a supportive-therapeutic group for
individuals with anxiety disorders. Violet, who lacks self-confidence,
states to the group, "Maybe if I became a blond, my boyfriend would
love me more." Larry responds, "Listen, dummy, you need more than
