NR605 Final Exam 2026 – Actual
Psychiatric-Mental Health Across the
Lifespan I Practicum (Weeks 5–8) |
Verified Questions and 100% Correct
Answers – Chamberlain
1. Major Psychotherapy Modalities
Question 1: A PMHNP is evaluating a client with depression who asks which
therapy will be most effective. The PMHNP responds that the most widely
practiced form of psychotherapy is:
A) Psychodynamic therapy
B) Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
C) Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
D) Humanistic therapy
Correct Answer: C – Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Rationale: CBT is the most widely practiced psychotherapy and first-line treatment
for depression, anxiety disorders, and many other conditions. It is short-term,
structured, and goal-oriented, focusing on the interconnectedness of thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors.
,Question 2: A client with major depressive disorder states, "I'm a failure. I got a B
on my exam, but I should have gotten an A. I always mess everything up." The
PMHNP recognizes this as which cognitive distortion?
A) Catastrophizing
B) Personalization
C) All-or-nothing thinking
D) Mind reading
Correct Answer: C – All-or-nothing thinking
Rationale: All-or-nothing (black-and-white) thinking involves seeing situations in
extreme, absolute terms. The client believes that because they did not achieve a
perfect score, they are a complete failure. This rigid thinking pattern is a common
cognitive distortion in depression and anxiety.
Question 3: During a therapy session, a client with social anxiety states, "I know
everyone at the party thought I was awkward and laughed at me." The PMHNP
identifies this as which cognitive distortion?
A) Overgeneralization
B) Emotional reasoning
C) Mind reading
D) Filtering
Correct Answer: C – Mind reading
Rationale: Mind reading is the cognitive distortion where a person assumes they
know what others are thinking, often assuming negative judgments without
objective evidence. The client is projecting their own fears onto others, which
perpetuates social anxiety.
,2. Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Question 4: A client with a history of substance use disorder is ambivalent about
quitting. The PMHNP uses a non-confrontational, client-centered, and goal-
oriented approach to explore and resolve this ambivalence. This technique is
known as:
A) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
B) Motivational interviewing
C) Dialectical behavior therapy
D) Solution-focused therapy
Correct Answer: B – Motivational interviewing
Rationale: Motivational interviewing (MI) was developed by William R. Miller for
clients with substance use disorders. It uses a collaborative, goal-oriented
communication style to address ambivalence and resistance, empowering clients to
draw on their own meanings and capacities to facilitate change.
Question 5: The MI communication skills are represented by the mnemonic
OARS. What does OARS stand for?
A) Open questions, Affirming, Reflecting, Summarizing
B) Observation, Assessment, Response, Synthesis
C) Orientation, Activation, Reinforcement, Support
D) Openness, Acceptance, Respect, Safety
Correct Answer: A – Open questions, Affirming, Reflecting, Summarizing
, Rationale: OARS represents core communication skills in MI: Open questions
(cannot be answered yes/no), Affirming (positive comments on strengths),
Reflecting (mirroring content/feelings), and Summarizing (linking together what
has been stated).
3. Cognitive Distortions & Therapy Techniques
Question 6: A client with generalized anxiety disorder is learning to evaluate the
evidence for their worry thoughts. This process is called:
A) Exposure and response prevention
B) Cognitive restructuring
C) Thought stopping
D) Relaxation training
Correct Answer: B – Cognitive restructuring
Rationale: Cognitive restructuring involves identifying, challenging, and modifying
maladaptive thoughts and beliefs. It is the core cognitive technique in CBT for
conditions like GAD, depression, and others.
Question 7: A client in CBT begins to recognize that their automatic thoughts are
not always accurate. This new awareness is referred to as:
A) Cognitive restructuring
B) Behavioral activation
C) Metacognition
D) Collaborative empiricism
Psychiatric-Mental Health Across the
Lifespan I Practicum (Weeks 5–8) |
Verified Questions and 100% Correct
Answers – Chamberlain
1. Major Psychotherapy Modalities
Question 1: A PMHNP is evaluating a client with depression who asks which
therapy will be most effective. The PMHNP responds that the most widely
practiced form of psychotherapy is:
A) Psychodynamic therapy
B) Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
C) Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
D) Humanistic therapy
Correct Answer: C – Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Rationale: CBT is the most widely practiced psychotherapy and first-line treatment
for depression, anxiety disorders, and many other conditions. It is short-term,
structured, and goal-oriented, focusing on the interconnectedness of thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors.
,Question 2: A client with major depressive disorder states, "I'm a failure. I got a B
on my exam, but I should have gotten an A. I always mess everything up." The
PMHNP recognizes this as which cognitive distortion?
A) Catastrophizing
B) Personalization
C) All-or-nothing thinking
D) Mind reading
Correct Answer: C – All-or-nothing thinking
Rationale: All-or-nothing (black-and-white) thinking involves seeing situations in
extreme, absolute terms. The client believes that because they did not achieve a
perfect score, they are a complete failure. This rigid thinking pattern is a common
cognitive distortion in depression and anxiety.
Question 3: During a therapy session, a client with social anxiety states, "I know
everyone at the party thought I was awkward and laughed at me." The PMHNP
identifies this as which cognitive distortion?
A) Overgeneralization
B) Emotional reasoning
C) Mind reading
D) Filtering
Correct Answer: C – Mind reading
Rationale: Mind reading is the cognitive distortion where a person assumes they
know what others are thinking, often assuming negative judgments without
objective evidence. The client is projecting their own fears onto others, which
perpetuates social anxiety.
,2. Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Question 4: A client with a history of substance use disorder is ambivalent about
quitting. The PMHNP uses a non-confrontational, client-centered, and goal-
oriented approach to explore and resolve this ambivalence. This technique is
known as:
A) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
B) Motivational interviewing
C) Dialectical behavior therapy
D) Solution-focused therapy
Correct Answer: B – Motivational interviewing
Rationale: Motivational interviewing (MI) was developed by William R. Miller for
clients with substance use disorders. It uses a collaborative, goal-oriented
communication style to address ambivalence and resistance, empowering clients to
draw on their own meanings and capacities to facilitate change.
Question 5: The MI communication skills are represented by the mnemonic
OARS. What does OARS stand for?
A) Open questions, Affirming, Reflecting, Summarizing
B) Observation, Assessment, Response, Synthesis
C) Orientation, Activation, Reinforcement, Support
D) Openness, Acceptance, Respect, Safety
Correct Answer: A – Open questions, Affirming, Reflecting, Summarizing
, Rationale: OARS represents core communication skills in MI: Open questions
(cannot be answered yes/no), Affirming (positive comments on strengths),
Reflecting (mirroring content/feelings), and Summarizing (linking together what
has been stated).
3. Cognitive Distortions & Therapy Techniques
Question 6: A client with generalized anxiety disorder is learning to evaluate the
evidence for their worry thoughts. This process is called:
A) Exposure and response prevention
B) Cognitive restructuring
C) Thought stopping
D) Relaxation training
Correct Answer: B – Cognitive restructuring
Rationale: Cognitive restructuring involves identifying, challenging, and modifying
maladaptive thoughts and beliefs. It is the core cognitive technique in CBT for
conditions like GAD, depression, and others.
Question 7: A client in CBT begins to recognize that their automatic thoughts are
not always accurate. This new awareness is referred to as:
A) Cognitive restructuring
B) Behavioral activation
C) Metacognition
D) Collaborative empiricism
