Deck 3: Psychosocial Theories and Therapy

Question 1

The nurse understands that crises are self-limiting. This implies that upon evaluation of crisis intervention, the nurse should assess for which outcome?

A) The patient will identify possible causes for the crisis.
B) The patient will discover a new sense of self-sufficiency in coping.
C) The patient will resume the precrisis level of functioning.
D) The patient will express anger regarding the crisis event.

Answer 1

The patient will resume the precrisis level of functioning.

Question 2

A patient who has been working on controlling impulsive behavior shows a strengthening ego through which of the following behaviors?

A) Going to therapy only when there is nothing more desirable to do
B) Weighing the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision
C) Telling others in the group the right way to act
D) Reporting having fun at a recent social event

Answer 2

Weighing the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision

Question 3

A patient has just been told she has cervical cancer. When asked about how this is impacting her, she states, It's just an infection; it will clear up. The statement indicates that this patient

A) needs education on cervical cancer.
B) is unable to express her true emotions.
C) should be immediately referred to a cancer support group.
D) is using denial to protect herself from an emotionally painful thought.

Answer 3

is using denial to protect herself from an emotionally painful thought.

Question 4

A teenage patient defies the nurse's repeated requests to turn off the video game and go to sleep. The teen says angrily, You sound just like my mother at home! and continues to play the video game. The nurse understands that this statement likely indicates

A) the need of stricter discipline at home.
B) early signs of oppositional defiant disorder.
C) viewing the nurse as her mother.
D) expression of developing autonomy.

Question 5

A patient reports a pattern of being suspicious and mistrusting of others, causing difficulty in sustaining lasting relationships. Which stage according to Erikson's psychosocial development was not successfully completed?

A) Trust
B) Autonomy
C) Initiative
D) Industry

Question 6

The nurse has established a therapeutic relationship with a patient. The patient is beginning to share feelings openly with the nurse. The relationship has entered which phase according to Peplau's theory?

A) Orientation
B) Identification
C) Exploitation
D) Resolution

Question 7

A nurse is meeting with a crisis support group. In efforts to help patients identify with one another, the nurse explains which of the following about the crisis experience?

A) Even happy events can cause a crisis if the stress is overwhelming.
B) Only people who have unfortunate life events will experience a crisis.
C) A person has no control over how a crisis will affect him or her.
D) People can prevent all crises if they develop good coping skills early.

Question 8

Which of the following theories could be classified as humanistic theories? Select all that apply.

A) Cognitive therapy
B) Maslow's hierarchy of needs
C) Gestalt therapy
D) Rogers' client-centered therapy
E) Rational emotive therapy
F) Piaget's cognitive stages of development

Question 9

Which of the following are examples of adventitious crises? Select all that apply.

A) Death of a loved one
B) Natural disasters
C) Violent crimes
D) War
E) Leaving home for the first time

Question 10

A nursing supervisor reprimands an employee for being chronically late for work. If the employee handles the reprimand using the defense mechanism of displacement, he would most likely do which of the following?

A) Argue with the supervisor that he is usually on time
B) Make a special effort to be on time tomorrow
C) Tell fellow employees that the supervisor is picking on him
D) Tell the unit housekeeper that his work is sloppy

Question 11

The nurse is assessing a client who is talking about her son's recent death but who shows no emotion of any kind. The nurse recognizes this behavior as which of the following defense mechanisms?

A) Dissociation
B) Displacement
C) Intellectualization
D) Suppression

Question 12

A college student decides to go to a party the night before a major exam instead of studying. After receiving a low score on the exam, the student tells a fellow student, I have to work too much and don't have time to study. It wouldn't matter anyway because the teacher is so unreasonable. The defense mechanisms the student is using are

A) denial and displacement
B) rationalization and projection
C) reaction formation and resistance
D) regression and compensation

Question 13

A client is supposed to be ambulating ad lib. Instead, he refuses to get out of bed, asks for a bed bath, and makes many demands of the nurses. He also yells that they are lazy and incompetent. The client's behavior is an example of which of the following defense mechanisms?

A) Introjection
B) Projection
C) Rationalization
D) Reaction formation

Question 14

A client begins to take stock of his life and look into the future. The nurse assesses that this client is in which of Erikson's developmental stages?

A) Identity versus role confusion
B) Industry versus inferiority
C) Integrity versus despair
D) Generativity versus stagnation

Question 15

A basic assumption of Freud's psychoanalytic theory is that

A) all human behavior can be caused and can be explained.
B) human behavior is entirely unconscious.
C) free association is the key to understanding.
D) sexuality does not relate to behavior.

Question 16

Which of the following is a major developmental task of middle adulthood?

A) Developing intimacy
B) Learning to manage conflict
C) Reexamining life goals
D) Resolving the past

Question 17

Which cognitive mode, according to Harry Stack Sullivan, begins in early childhood as the child begins to connect experiences in sequence?

A) Prototaxic mode
B) Parataxic mode
C) Bitaxic mode
D) Syntaxic mode

Question 18

Group members are actively discussing a common topic. Members are sharing that they identify with what others are saying. The nurse leader recognizes that the group is in which stage of group development?

A) Planning
B) Initial
C) Working
D) Termination

Question 19

The family members of a patient with bipolar disorder express frustration with the unpredictable behaviors of their loved one. Which group should the nurse suggest as most helpful to this family?

A) Family therapy group
B) Family education group
C) Psychotherapy group
D) Self-help support group

Question 20

A student nurse attends a self-help group as part of a class assignment. While there the student recognizes a family friend. Upon returning home, the student talks about the experience with the family. The student's actions can be described as

A) appropriate; persons familiar with group members are allowed self-help group membership.
B) appropriate; self-help groups are not professional and therefore are open to public knowledge.
C) inappropriate; most self-help groups have a rule of confidentiality.
D) inappropriate; the student should not have been allowed to attend the group.

Question 21

The nurse would recommend individual therapy for the patient who expresses a desire to

A) bring about personal changes.
B) gain a sense of belonging.
C) develop leadership skills.
D) learn more about treatment.

Question 22

Which one of the following statements is most accurate regarding the cohesiveness of a group in group therapy?

A) It is commonly present in the first meeting of the group.
B) It is necessary for the group to have maximum cohesiveness, the more the better.
C) Group cohesiveness is the degree to which members think alike and many things are left unspoken.
D) Cohesiveness is a desirable group characteristic that is associated with positive group outcomes.

Question 23

Which one of the following is an important characteristic of an effective therapistñclient relationship in individual psychotherapy?

A) Homogeneity between the client and the therapist.
B) Mutual benefit for the client and the therapist.
C) The client must adapt to the therapist's style of therapy and theoretical beliefs.
D) Match between the theoretical beliefs and style of therapy and the client's needs and expectations of therapy.

Question 24

Which of the following is most essential when planning care for a client who is experiencing a crisis?

A) Explore previous coping strategies
B) Explore underlying personality dynamics
C) Focus on emotional deficits
D) Offer a referral to a self-help group

Question 25

During the initial interview with a client in crisis, the initial priority is to

A) assess the adequacy of the support system.
B) assess for substance use.
C) determine the precrisis level of functioning.
D) evaluate the potential for self-harm.

Question 26

Patients on an inpatient psychiatric unit can earn off-unit privileges for daily use of socially appropriate behavior. This is an example of employing which concept of behavior modification?

A) Systematic desensitization
B) Negative reinforcement
C) Classical conditioning
D) Operant conditioning

Question 27

A patient states, I hate spending time with my family. They're always on my back about something! I won't do anything they ask me to do. Which response by the nurse reflects a behavioral perspective?

A) Let's play like I'm your parent, and we'll practice some better ways to communicate that won't result in an argument.
B) Some medicines really help with anger. Are you interested in talking to your physician about starting you on something?
C) That's probably your way of getting back at them for being strict with you when you were younger.
D) If you agree to start doing what your parents request, then they have agreed to respect your privacy more.

Question 28

A nurse is working with a patient with an eating disorder who refuses to eat a muffin. The nurse asks the patient Is there any way that you could see the muffin as just flour and water, basic nutrients your body needs? In this statement, the nurse is using which type of therapy?

A) Rational emotive therapy
B) Cognitive therapy
C) Gestalt therapy
D) Reality therapy

Question 29

A patient is blaming his impending divorce on the fact that his wife goes out frequently with her girlfriends. If using reality therapy, the nurse would help the patient with which of the following responses?

A) If you really love her, she should love you as well.
B) What does being divorced mean for you?
C) How do you feel about your marriage ending?
D) What role do you think you have played in the end of your marriage?

Question 30

A nurse is assisting a patient who is working on the technique of systematic desensitization. When the patient feels anxious, the nurse can best use the principles of this technique by stating,

A) Use the deep breathing techniques we practiced yesterday.
B) What is the worst that will happen if you confront this fear?
C) Tell me how you are feeling right now.
D) I can see you are anxious. Let's stop for a minute.

Question 31

The nurse is working with a client who has a history of inflicting spousal abuse. Although the nurse does not condone domestic violence, the nurse treats the client with unconditional positive regard through which of the following?

A) The nurse tries to understand the feelings that might have led to violent behavior.
B) The nurse uses honest emotional expression in relating to client.
C) The client is still viewed as someone worthy of respect and assistance.
D) The nurse relates to the client as if he were her own spouse.

Question 32

A patient is being admitted to an inpatient unit for treatment of anorexia nervosa. Of the following assessment data, which should the nurse place as highest priority in the plan of care?

A) Weight 24% below normal for height
B) Distorted body image
C) Feelings of inadequacy
D) Frequent vomiting after meals

Question 33

The primary purpose for generalist nurses to develop skills with psychosocial interventions is

A) psychosocial interventions are included on the nursing licensure examinations.
B) psychosocial interventions are needed in all nursing practice settings.
C) nurses will be consulted to assist in the care of psychiatric patients in acute care settings.
D) there are a growing number of nursing practice opportunities in mental health settings.

Question 34

Which of the following considerations should have the most influence in the nurse's choice of the treatment for the client?

A) The client's feelings and perceptions about his or her situation
B) The nurse's beliefs about the theories of psychosocial development
C) The nurse's familiarity with the type of treatment
D) Any approach to treatment should work with any client.

Question 35

Which approach to therapy is most effective when planning for a client with negative thinking?

A) Behavior modification
B) Client-centered therapy
C) Cognitive therapy
D) Reality therapy