Question 1

A nursing instructor is teaching about dichotomous thinking.Which student statement indicates learning has occurred?

Accepted Answer

Option A correctly defines dichotomous thinking by stating that an individual views situations in terms of extremes, such as good/bad or black/white. Options B, C, and D all describe different cognitive distortions, but not dichotomous thinking specifically.

Question 2

Which statement does the nurse recognize exemplifies the level of cognitive function of a client experiencing mild anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Mild anxiety can actually heighten awareness and sharpen senses, leading to the feeling of being very alert or "sharp as a tack." This contrasts with more severe levels of anxiety, which typically impair cognitive functions and focus.

Question 3

A client recovering from alcohol toxicity is using minimization.Which statement reflects this cognitive distortion?

Accepted Answer

The statement "I may have a minor problem, but I can handle it" reflects minimization, which is a cognitive distortion where the individual downplays the severity of their problem. The other options do not necessarily reflect minimization, as they could be considered justifications or rationalizations for continued alcohol use.

Question 4

A nursing instructor is teaching about the didactic aspects of cognitive therapy.Which student statement indicates a deficit in meeting the learning objectives of this content?

Accepted Answer

The use of guided imagery to elicit automatic thoughts is not a didactic aspect of cognitive therapy, but rather a technique used within the therapy itself. The other choices all reflect didactic aspects of cognitive therapy, such as providing information and using reading assignments to reinforce learning.

Question 5

A nursing assistant failed a prerequisite course toward admission to nursing school and states,"I will always be only a nursing assistant and never an RN." The nursing advisor understands this is an example of which automatic thought?

Accepted Answer

Overgeneralization occurs when an individual makes a broad conclusion based on a single or limited event. In this case, the nursing assistant is overgeneralizing their failure in one course to their overall potential in the nursing profession.

Question 6

Which statement demonstrates the cognitive approach the nurse is using when teaching a client about panic disorder?

Accepted Answer

This statement demonstrates the cognitive approach by offering a thought-based strategy for managing panic disorder symptoms. By reminding oneself that symptoms are time-limited and will end, the client can focus on a more rational and positive thought pattern, which can help reduce anxiety and prevent the exacerbation of symptoms. Choices A, B, and D offer behavior-based strategies or medication-based interventions, which are not aligned with the cognitive approach to treatment.

Question 7

A client admitted to a Veterans Administration hospital with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder tells the nurse,"I failed my battalion by giving the wrong order.Fortunately,no one was injured." Which nursing diagnosis will the nurse assign this client?

Accepted Answer

The client's statement reflects a specific incident that has led to feelings of failure and inadequacy, indicating situational low self-esteem rather than a chronic or generalized issue.

Question 8

A successful business executive continually thinks her job accomplishments are not adequate.The nurse recognizes the client's thinking reflects which cognitive error?

Accepted Answer

Minimization is a cognitive error in which a person downplays their positive accomplishments or qualities and magnifies their negative ones. In this scenario, the business executive is continually thinking that her job accomplishments are not adequate, which reflects minimization.

Question 9

A welder has been selected as employee of the year.The welder wants to ask for a promotion but is hampered by poor self-esteem.Which is the best technique for the employee health nurse to use to help the employee request the promotion?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive rehearsal involves practicing and visualizing successful performance in a situation, which can help overcome self-doubt and boost self-esteem. This technique would be the most appropriate to help the welder feel more confident in requesting a promotion.

Question 10

A client states,"I keep having horrible nightmares about the car accident that killed my daughter.I shouldn't have taken her with me to the store." Using a cognitive approach,which nursing reply is most therapeutic?

Accepted Answer

This response challenges the client's irrational belief that they could have predicted or prevented the accident, which aligns with cognitive therapy's focus on identifying and correcting distorted thinking patterns.

Question 11

A psychiatric nurse is counseling a client who has thought patterns consisting of rapid responses to a situation without rational analysis.Which assessment data will the nurse document?

Accepted Answer

The description of thought patterns consisting of rapid responses without rational analysis suggests automatic thoughts, which are characterized by their speed and lack of analysis or judgment. The other choices do not necessarily fit the description given.

Question 12

Using a cognitive approach,which intervention would the nurse choose to assist clients to manage anger without the use of violence?

Accepted Answer

Using a cognitive approach, the nurse would assist the client to identify thoughts that trigger anger and substitute reality-based thinking. This approach focuses on changing the client's thought patterns, rather than relying on medications or punishments. The nurse would help the client identify triggers for their anger and help them reframe the situation in a more positive or realistic light. By doing so, the client can learn to manage their anger without resorting to violence.

Question 13

An advanced practice nurse (APN)is counseling a client diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.The nurse plans to use activity scheduling to address this client's concerns.What is the purpose of this nursing intervention?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An advanced practice nurse (APN)is counseling a...

Question 14

The director of nursing (DON)sets up a meeting with the newly appointed nurse manager who has been doing an excellent job.The DON anticipates that the nurse manager plans to resign.Which is the best description of the nurse manager's cognitive error?

Accepted Answer

The nurse manager is anticipating the worst outcome (resigning) without considering positive outcomes, indicating a cognitive error of catastrophizing or jumping to conclusions.

Question 15

A high-school basketball player sustains a serious knee injury and states to the school nurse,"I will never get to college if I don't receive a basketball scholarship." Which nursing reply would assist the student to see a broader range of possibilities?

Accepted Answer

The nurse's response in choice A acknowledges the student's concerns about funding their education but also suggests exploring other options for scholarships or financial aid. This helps the student to see that there are other possibilities for achieving their goals beyond just basketball scholarships.

Question 16

A nursing student evaluates her group project partner as irresponsible because of minimal participation in planning.When told of this situation,the nursing instructor plans to use the cognitive technique of examining the evidence.Which response by the nursing instructor exemplifies this technique?

Accepted Answer

The cognitive technique of examining the evidence involves looking at all potential reasons and evidence before making a conclusion or judgment. The instructor's response in choice A demonstrates this technique as they suggest exploring the potential reasons for the partner's minimal participation.

Question 17

A labor and delivery nurse listens to a new mother relate thoughts regarding her healthy,8-pound baby girl.Which statement by the mother indicates to the nurse the use of the cognitive error,selective abstraction?

Accepted Answer

Selective abstraction is the tendency to focus on one or two negative aspects of a situation and ignore the positive aspects. In this case, the mother is focusing on the fact that she wanted twins and ignoring all the positive aspects of having a healthy baby girl.

Question 18

A nursing student states,"The instructor gave me a failing grade on my research paper.I know it's because the instructor doesn't like me." Which cognitive error does the nurse recognize in this student's statement?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nursing student states,"The instructor gave me...

Question 19

When a client's husband comes home late from work,the wife immediately fears infidelity.The APN encourages the wife to consider other explanations for her husband's tardiness.Which technique is the APN using?

Accepted Answer

The APN is using the technique of generating alternatives by encouraging the wife to consider other explanations for her husband's tardiness, instead of immediately jumping to the assumption of infidelity.

Question 20

An advanced practice nurse recommends that a client participate in cognitive therapy.The client asks,"What's cognitive therapy and how can it help me?" Which is the nurse's best reply?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on treating maladaptive behaviors and modifying distorted thinking. This therapy helps clients change their negative thought patterns and replace them with positive ones. It has been shown to be effective in treating various mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Quiz 19: Cognitive Therapy