Lifespan Midterm Exam: (Latest Update) Comprehensive Q&A | Grade A
Subject: Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health (NR605) – Midterm Exam:
Psychotherapy Modalities, Therapeutic Alliance, Ethical/Legal Considerations, Defense Mechanisms,
Developmental Theories
Source: Midterm Blueprint – Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic-Existential Approach, Interpersonal
Psychotherapy, Maslow/Erikson/Piaget, Transference/Countertransference, Documentation Codes
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale – 100% Verified Answers
Verified: Latest Update | Grade A Guaranteed
1: What is psychotherapy?
Correct Answer: Nonpharmacological intervention used to treat mental health diagnoses or distress;
talk therapy to help clients improve functioning and well-being. May include individual, couple, family,
or group sessions. Goals: symptom reduction, improvement in functioning, relapse prevention,
empowerment, achievement of collaborative goals.
1. Provided by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and PMHNPs.
2. Evidence-based for many psychiatric disorders.
3. Therapeutic relationship is central to effectiveness.
2: What are the methods of collaboration in psychiatric care?
Correct Answer: Intraprofessional Collaboration (interaction between two disciplines within same
profession) and Transprofessional Collaboration (communication with various disciplines: physicians,
PT/OT, social services).
1. Intraprofessional barriers: tension, large team size, high turnover, role ambiguity.
2. Transprofessional barrier: lack of training.
3. Collaboration improves patient outcomes.
3: According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, what must be addressed before higher-level needs?
Correct Answer: Physiological needs (air, food, water, shelter, clothing, sleep) are foundational; must
be met before safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
1. Deficiency needs (D-needs) – once met, motivation decreases.
Growth needs (B-needs) – motivation increases as met.
3. Self-actualized person exhibits independence, autonomy, creativity, maturity.
4: A 35-year-old homeless client with suicidal ideations – which theory is most relevant for the
psychiatric interview?
Correct Answer: Hierarchy of Needs Theory (Maslow) – foundational physiological and safety needs
must be addressed before higher-level needs.
1. Homeless client may be struggling to meet basic needs.
2. Suicidal ideation may be exacerbated by unmet survival needs.
3. Address housing, food, safety before intensive psychotherapy.
, 5: A 14-year-old foster child struggling to develop trusting relationships – which theory is most
relevant?
Correct Answer: Psychosocial Development Theory (Erikson) – trust vs. mistrust (infancy) impacts
later ability to form trusting relationships.
1. Basic trust develops in first 18 months with consistent caregivers.
2. Foster children may have attachment disruptions.
3. Therapy to build trust in therapeutic relationship.
6: A 4-year-old struggling to understand civil protests on television – which theory is most relevant?
Correct Answer: Cognitive Development Theory (Piaget) – preoperational stage (ages 2-7) lacks
ability to understand abstract concepts such as justice.
1. Children at this stage think concretely and egocentrically.
2. Explain in simple, concrete terms.
3. Avoid abstract explanations.
7: What are essential factors of the therapeutic alliance?
Correct Answer: Agreement on goals, tasks, and strategies of treatment; bond between provider and
client; trust, connection, rapport; provider characteristics: empathy, genuineness, warmth, acceptance,
collaborative approach, unconditional positive regard.
1. Strong therapeutic alliance is crucial to therapy success.
2. Peplau's phases: orientation, identification, exploitation, resolution.
3. Alliance predicts treatment adherence and outcomes.
8: A client and her husband approach the psychotherapist at a party; the provider returns the
greeting. Is this a boundary violation?
Correct Answer: Not a boundary violation (client approached provider).
1. Minimal social contact may be unavoidable.
If provider approached client, would be violation.
3. Maintain professional boundaries in future interactions.
9: A psychotherapist holds a client's hand during retelling of trauma after client reaches out. Is this
a boundary violation?
Correct Answer: Not a boundary violation – touch may be therapeutic in certain situations.
1. Therapeutic use of touch should be culturally appropriate.
2. Client initiated contact; provider responded supportively.3. Discuss touch as part of informed
consent.
10: Define transference.
Correct Answer: When a client directs feelings towards a significant person (e.g., parent) onto the
psychotherapist; typically unconscious; may be positive or negative.
1. Provides perspective into client's relationships.
2. Opportunity to help client gain insight.
3. Central concept in psychodynamic therapy.