Exam 1 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing practice questions
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A patient in a group therapy session listens to others and then
remarks, "I used to think I was the only one who felt afraid. I
guess I'm not as alone as I thought." This comment is an
example of: a. altruism.
b. ventilation.
c. universality.
d. group cohesiveness. - ANSWER-ANS: C
Realizing that one is not alone and that others share the same
problems and feelings is called universality. Ventilation refers
to expressing emotions. Altruism refers to benefitting by being
of help to others. Group cohesiveness refers to the degree of
bonding among members of the group.
A nurse at the well child clinic realizes that many parents have
misconceptions about effective ways of disciplining their
children. The nurse decides to form a group to address this
problem. What should be the focus of the group? a. Support
b. Socialization
c. Health education
d. Symptom management - ANSWER-ANS: C
The nurse has diagnosed a knowledge deficit. The focus of the
group should be education. Support and socialization are
,beneficial but should not be the primary focus of the group,
and symptoms are not identified for intervention here.
Which outcome would be most appropriate for a symptom-
management group for persons with schizophrenia? Group
members will: a. state the names of their medications.
b. resolve conflicts within their families.
c. rate anxiety at least two points lower.
d. describe ways to cope with their illness. - ANSWER-ANS: D
An appropriate psychoeducational focus for patients with
schizophrenia is managing their symptoms; coping with
symptoms such as impaired memory or impaired reality testing
can improve functioning and enhance their quality of life.
Names of medications might be appropriate for a medication
education group but would be a low priority for symptom
management. Addressing intra-family issues would be more
appropriate within a family therapy group or possibly a support
group. Rating anxiety lower would be an expected outcome for
a stressmanagement group.
A patient has talked constantly throughout the group therapy
session, often repeating the same comments. Other members
were initially attentive then became bored, inattentive, and
finally sullen. Which comment by the nurse leader would be
most effective?
a. Say to everyone, "Most of you have become quiet. I wonder if
it might be related to concerns you may have about how the
group is progressing today." b. Say to everyone, "One person
,has done most of the talking. I think it would be helpful for
everyone to say how that has affected your experience of the
group."
c. Say to everyone, "I noticed that as our group progressed,
most members became quiet, then disinterested, and now
seem almost angry. What is going on?"
d. Say to the talkative patient, "You have been doing most of
the talking, and others have not had a chance to speak as a
result. Could you please yield to others now?" - ANSWER-ANS:
A
The most effective action the nurse leader can take will be the
one that encourages the group to solve its own problem.
Pointing out changes in the group and asking members to
respond to them lays the foundation for a discussion of group
dynamics. Asking members to respond to the talkative patient
puts that patient in an awkward position, likely increasing her
anxiety. As anxiety increases, monopolizing behavior tends to
increase as well, so this response would be self-defeating.
Asking members what is going on is a broader opening and
might lead to responses unrelated to the issue that bears
addressing; narrowing the focus to the group process more
directly addresses what is occurring in the group. Focusing on
the talkative patient would be less effective and involves the
leader addressing the issue instead of members first
attempting to do so themselves (giving them a chance to
practice skills such as assertive communication).
, Guidelines followed by the leader of a therapeutic group
include focusing on recognizing dysfunctional behavior and
thinking patterns, followed by identifying and practicing more
adaptive alternate behaviors and thinking. Which theory is
evident by this approach? a. Behavioral
b. Interpersonal
c. Psychodynamic
d. Cognitive-behavioral - ANSWER-ANS: D
The characteristics described are those of cognitive-behavioral
therapy, in which patients learn to reframe dysfunctional
thoughts and extinguish maladaptive behaviors. Behavioral
therapy focuses solely on changing behavior rather than
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors together. Interpersonal
theory focuses on interactions and relationships.
Psychodynamic groups focus on developing insight to resolve
unconscious conflicts.
The nurse is planning a new sexuality group for patients.
Which location would best enhance the effectiveness of this
group? a. The hospital auditorium
b. A small conference room
c. A common area, such as a day room
d. The corner of the music therapy room - ANSWER-ANS: B
The conference room would provide a quiet, private area with
few distractions, separate from other patient areas and
effective for teaching and learning about a private topic. The
auditorium is too large, and members' anxiety or lack of trust
might lead them to spread out too far from each other,
2025/2026 ACTUAL COMPLETE ALL REAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
A patient in a group therapy session listens to others and then
remarks, "I used to think I was the only one who felt afraid. I
guess I'm not as alone as I thought." This comment is an
example of: a. altruism.
b. ventilation.
c. universality.
d. group cohesiveness. - ANSWER-ANS: C
Realizing that one is not alone and that others share the same
problems and feelings is called universality. Ventilation refers
to expressing emotions. Altruism refers to benefitting by being
of help to others. Group cohesiveness refers to the degree of
bonding among members of the group.
A nurse at the well child clinic realizes that many parents have
misconceptions about effective ways of disciplining their
children. The nurse decides to form a group to address this
problem. What should be the focus of the group? a. Support
b. Socialization
c. Health education
d. Symptom management - ANSWER-ANS: C
The nurse has diagnosed a knowledge deficit. The focus of the
group should be education. Support and socialization are
,beneficial but should not be the primary focus of the group,
and symptoms are not identified for intervention here.
Which outcome would be most appropriate for a symptom-
management group for persons with schizophrenia? Group
members will: a. state the names of their medications.
b. resolve conflicts within their families.
c. rate anxiety at least two points lower.
d. describe ways to cope with their illness. - ANSWER-ANS: D
An appropriate psychoeducational focus for patients with
schizophrenia is managing their symptoms; coping with
symptoms such as impaired memory or impaired reality testing
can improve functioning and enhance their quality of life.
Names of medications might be appropriate for a medication
education group but would be a low priority for symptom
management. Addressing intra-family issues would be more
appropriate within a family therapy group or possibly a support
group. Rating anxiety lower would be an expected outcome for
a stressmanagement group.
A patient has talked constantly throughout the group therapy
session, often repeating the same comments. Other members
were initially attentive then became bored, inattentive, and
finally sullen. Which comment by the nurse leader would be
most effective?
a. Say to everyone, "Most of you have become quiet. I wonder if
it might be related to concerns you may have about how the
group is progressing today." b. Say to everyone, "One person
,has done most of the talking. I think it would be helpful for
everyone to say how that has affected your experience of the
group."
c. Say to everyone, "I noticed that as our group progressed,
most members became quiet, then disinterested, and now
seem almost angry. What is going on?"
d. Say to the talkative patient, "You have been doing most of
the talking, and others have not had a chance to speak as a
result. Could you please yield to others now?" - ANSWER-ANS:
A
The most effective action the nurse leader can take will be the
one that encourages the group to solve its own problem.
Pointing out changes in the group and asking members to
respond to them lays the foundation for a discussion of group
dynamics. Asking members to respond to the talkative patient
puts that patient in an awkward position, likely increasing her
anxiety. As anxiety increases, monopolizing behavior tends to
increase as well, so this response would be self-defeating.
Asking members what is going on is a broader opening and
might lead to responses unrelated to the issue that bears
addressing; narrowing the focus to the group process more
directly addresses what is occurring in the group. Focusing on
the talkative patient would be less effective and involves the
leader addressing the issue instead of members first
attempting to do so themselves (giving them a chance to
practice skills such as assertive communication).
, Guidelines followed by the leader of a therapeutic group
include focusing on recognizing dysfunctional behavior and
thinking patterns, followed by identifying and practicing more
adaptive alternate behaviors and thinking. Which theory is
evident by this approach? a. Behavioral
b. Interpersonal
c. Psychodynamic
d. Cognitive-behavioral - ANSWER-ANS: D
The characteristics described are those of cognitive-behavioral
therapy, in which patients learn to reframe dysfunctional
thoughts and extinguish maladaptive behaviors. Behavioral
therapy focuses solely on changing behavior rather than
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors together. Interpersonal
theory focuses on interactions and relationships.
Psychodynamic groups focus on developing insight to resolve
unconscious conflicts.
The nurse is planning a new sexuality group for patients.
Which location would best enhance the effectiveness of this
group? a. The hospital auditorium
b. A small conference room
c. A common area, such as a day room
d. The corner of the music therapy room - ANSWER-ANS: B
The conference room would provide a quiet, private area with
few distractions, separate from other patient areas and
effective for teaching and learning about a private topic. The
auditorium is too large, and members' anxiety or lack of trust
might lead them to spread out too far from each other,
