1
HESI Exit Exam Prep: Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Strategies in
Nursing Care
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Foundations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Nursing
Practice............................................................................................................2
Subtopic 2: CBT Applications in Anxiety Disorders........................................11
Subtopic 3: CBT in Depression Management.................................................20
Subtopic 4: CBT for Trauma and PTSD...........................................................30
Subtopic 5: CBT for Substance Use and Relapse Prevention.........................39
Subtopic 6: CBT in Adolescent Mental Health Care........................................48
Subtopic 7: CBT in Chronic Illness and Pain Management.............................58
Subtopic 8: CBT in Substance Use and Relapse Prevention...........................67
Subtopic 9: CBT in Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm Prevention.....................76
Subtopic 10: CBT Integration into Multidisciplinary Nursing Practice............85
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Subtopic 1: Foundations of Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Nursing Practice
Question 1
A nurse is implementing CBT with a patient who has generalized anxiety
disorder. Which technique is the nurse most likely to use to help the patient
challenge irrational fears?
A. Guided imagery
B. Cognitive restructuring
C. Biofeedback
D. Progressive muscle relaxation
Correct Answer: B. Cognitive restructuring
Rationale: Cognitive restructuring helps patients identify and modify
distorted or irrational thought patterns contributing to their anxiety. It is a
core component of CBT.
Question 2
Which of the following best describes the primary goal of CBT in nursing
care?
A. To uncover unconscious conflicts
B. To change negative thought patterns and behaviors
C. To promote medication compliance
D. To explore past traumatic events
Correct Answer: B. To change negative thought patterns and behaviors
, 3
Rationale: CBT focuses on identifying and modifying dysfunctional thinking
and behavior to improve emotional regulation and coping.
Question 3
A nurse using CBT encourages a patient to keep a daily journal of thoughts
and reactions. This tool is primarily used to:
A. Monitor medication side effects
B. Identify patterns of negative thinking
C. Encourage free association
D. Support group therapy goals
Correct Answer: B. Identify patterns of negative thinking
Rationale: Thought records help individuals recognize patterns in automatic
negative thoughts and evaluate them critically.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client with depression. Which CBT-based intervention
is appropriate to help the client increase daily functioning?
A. Dream interpretation
B. Family genogram analysis
C. Activity scheduling
D. Mindfulness meditation
Correct Answer: C. Activity scheduling
Rationale: Activity scheduling encourages re-engagement with daily tasks
and pleasurable activities, which is effective in treating depression within
CBT.
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Question 5
In CBT, what is the first step a nurse should take when helping a patient
address automatic negative thoughts?
A. Encourage distraction techniques
B. Assist the patient in identifying the thoughts
C. Begin behavioral experiments
D. Recommend pharmacological therapy
Correct Answer: B. Assist the patient in identifying the thoughts
Rationale: Identifying automatic thoughts is essential for evaluating their
accuracy and impact on behavior.
Question 6
Which of the following is an example of an automatic negative thought
targeted in CBT?
A. "I always mess things up."
B. "I wonder if I left the stove on."
C. "I had a good day today."
D. "Maybe I need to try harder."
Correct Answer: A. "I always mess things up."
Rationale: This is a cognitive distortion known as overgeneralization and is a
common target in CBT.
Question 7
HESI Exit Exam Prep: Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Strategies in
Nursing Care
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Foundations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Nursing
Practice............................................................................................................2
Subtopic 2: CBT Applications in Anxiety Disorders........................................11
Subtopic 3: CBT in Depression Management.................................................20
Subtopic 4: CBT for Trauma and PTSD...........................................................30
Subtopic 5: CBT for Substance Use and Relapse Prevention.........................39
Subtopic 6: CBT in Adolescent Mental Health Care........................................48
Subtopic 7: CBT in Chronic Illness and Pain Management.............................58
Subtopic 8: CBT in Substance Use and Relapse Prevention...........................67
Subtopic 9: CBT in Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm Prevention.....................76
Subtopic 10: CBT Integration into Multidisciplinary Nursing Practice............85
, 2
Subtopic 1: Foundations of Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Nursing Practice
Question 1
A nurse is implementing CBT with a patient who has generalized anxiety
disorder. Which technique is the nurse most likely to use to help the patient
challenge irrational fears?
A. Guided imagery
B. Cognitive restructuring
C. Biofeedback
D. Progressive muscle relaxation
Correct Answer: B. Cognitive restructuring
Rationale: Cognitive restructuring helps patients identify and modify
distorted or irrational thought patterns contributing to their anxiety. It is a
core component of CBT.
Question 2
Which of the following best describes the primary goal of CBT in nursing
care?
A. To uncover unconscious conflicts
B. To change negative thought patterns and behaviors
C. To promote medication compliance
D. To explore past traumatic events
Correct Answer: B. To change negative thought patterns and behaviors
, 3
Rationale: CBT focuses on identifying and modifying dysfunctional thinking
and behavior to improve emotional regulation and coping.
Question 3
A nurse using CBT encourages a patient to keep a daily journal of thoughts
and reactions. This tool is primarily used to:
A. Monitor medication side effects
B. Identify patterns of negative thinking
C. Encourage free association
D. Support group therapy goals
Correct Answer: B. Identify patterns of negative thinking
Rationale: Thought records help individuals recognize patterns in automatic
negative thoughts and evaluate them critically.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client with depression. Which CBT-based intervention
is appropriate to help the client increase daily functioning?
A. Dream interpretation
B. Family genogram analysis
C. Activity scheduling
D. Mindfulness meditation
Correct Answer: C. Activity scheduling
Rationale: Activity scheduling encourages re-engagement with daily tasks
and pleasurable activities, which is effective in treating depression within
CBT.
, 4
Question 5
In CBT, what is the first step a nurse should take when helping a patient
address automatic negative thoughts?
A. Encourage distraction techniques
B. Assist the patient in identifying the thoughts
C. Begin behavioral experiments
D. Recommend pharmacological therapy
Correct Answer: B. Assist the patient in identifying the thoughts
Rationale: Identifying automatic thoughts is essential for evaluating their
accuracy and impact on behavior.
Question 6
Which of the following is an example of an automatic negative thought
targeted in CBT?
A. "I always mess things up."
B. "I wonder if I left the stove on."
C. "I had a good day today."
D. "Maybe I need to try harder."
Correct Answer: A. "I always mess things up."
Rationale: This is a cognitive distortion known as overgeneralization and is a
common target in CBT.
Question 7
