Question 1

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 which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The patient's comment reflects the realization that they are not alone in their feelings, which is an example of universality in group therapy. Universality helps individuals understand that others share similar experiences and emotions.

Question 2

A patient has talked constantly throughout the group therapy session, often repeating the same comments. Other members were initially attentive but then became bored, inattentive, and finally sullen. Which comment by the nurse leader would be most effective?

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

The nurse has been working with a large group of patients and has noticed that there are six members who have experienced sexual abuse and tend to talk only amongst themselves. Which type of group does this reflect?

Accepted Answer

This reflects a "subgroup" because it is a smaller group within the larger group that shares a common experience (sexual abuse) and interacts primarily with each other.

Question 4

During a group therapy session, a newly admitted patient suddenly says to the nurse, "How old are you? You seem too young to be leading a group." Select the nurse's most appropriate response.

Accepted Answer

A question such as this is common in the initial phase of group development when members are getting to know one another, dealing with trust issues, and testing the leader. Making explicit the implied serves to role model more effective communication and prompts further discussion of the patient's concern. Asking the patient to tell the leader more about the question focuses on the reason for the member's concern rather than on the issue raised (the experience and ability of the leader) and is a less helpful response. "I am old enough to be a nurse" and "age is not pertinent" are defensive responses and fail to address the patient's valid concern.

Question 5

During a therapy group that uses existential/Gestalt theory, patients shared feelings that occurred at the time of their admission. After a brief silence, one member says, "Several people have described feeling angry. I would like to hear from members who had other feelings." Which group role is evident by this comment?

Accepted Answer

The member who made the comment is showing the role of an encourager by promoting the participation of other group members who might have had different feelings than anger.

Question 6

Which outcome would be most appropriate for a symptom-management group for persons with schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate outcome for a symptom-management group for persons with schizophrenia is for group members to describe ways to cope with their illness, as this directly relates to managing symptoms and improving their quality of life.

Question 7

Which remark by a group participant would the nurse expect during the working phase of group therapy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which remark by a group participant would...

Question 8

A group begins the working phase. One member has a childhood history of neglect and ridicule by parents. Which comment would the group leader expect from this member?

Accepted Answer

People who frequently complain,yet reject help or suggestions when offered,tend to have histories of severe deprivation as children,often accompanied by neglect or abuse.The other comments reflect dynamics other than the help-rejecting complainer,such as the monopolizer who apologizes for talking too much,the person who is insightful and agrees to try a peer's suggestion,and the demoralizing member.

Question 9

A group is in the working phase. One member says, "That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Everyone whines and tells everyone else what to do. This group is a total waste of my time." Which comment by the group leader would be most therapeutic?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A group is in the working phase....

Question 10

A young female member in a therapy group says to an older female member, "You are just like my mother, always trying to control me with your observations and suggestions." Which therapeutic factor of a group is evident by this behaviour?

Accepted Answer

This behavior reflects the "corrective recapitulation of the primary family group," where group members unconsciously reenact family dynamics and work through unresolved issues from their family of origin.

Question 11

Three members of a therapy group share covert glances as other members of the group describe problems. When one makes a statement that subtly criticizes another speaker, the others nod in agreement. Which group dynamic should the leader suspect?

Accepted Answer

The covert glances and subtle criticism suggest that the three members are forming a subgroup within the larger therapy group. This can undermine the effectiveness of the therapy group as a whole and create an exclusionary dynamic that is not conducive to healing. The group leader should address this behavior and encourage all members to work together as a cohesive unit.

Question 12

A therapy group adds new members as others leave. What type of group is evident?

Accepted Answer

An open group is one where members can join and leave the group at any time, and new members can be added. This is in contrast to a closed group, where the members are fixed and no new members are added after the initial formation of the group. The fact that new members are added as others leave suggests that the group is open.

Question 13

A group is in the working phase. One member states, "That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Everyone whines and tells everyone else what to do. This group is a waste of my time." Which initial action by the group leader would be most therapeutic?

Accepted Answer

Option C, meeting privately with the member, is the most therapeutic action for the group leader to take. This allows the leader to acknowledge the member's feelings and address the issue in a more personal and direct manner. It also helps to prevent the member's hostility from disrupting the group dynamic and allows for a more productive working phase. Options A and B do not focus on the individual's needs and may escalate the situation. Option D avoids the issue and ignores the member's concerns.

Question 14

During group therapy, one patient says to another, "When I first started in this group, you were unable to make a decision, but now you can. You've made a lot of progress. I am beginning to think that maybe I can conquer my fears too." Which therapeutic factor is evident by this statement?

Accepted Answer

The therapeutic factor evident in this statement is hope, as the patient is expressing optimism in their own ability to overcome their own struggles based on the progress they have witnessed in another group member.

Question 15

A group has two more sessions before it ends. One member was previously vocal and has shown much progress but has now grown silent. What explanation most likely underlies this behaviour?

Accepted Answer

The member's silence is likely due to difficulty dealing with the upcoming termination of the group, as they were previously vocal and have shown progress.

Question 16

A patient in a support group says, "I'm tired of being sick. Everyone always helps me, but I will be glad when I can help someone else." This statement reflects which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The statement reflects altruism, as the patient expresses a desire to help others, indicating a selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Question 17

A leader plans to start a new self-esteem building group. Which intervention would be most helpful for assuring mutual respect within the group?

Accepted Answer

Establishing mutual respect as a group norm from the beginning sets clear expectations and helps create a positive group culture.

Question 18

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?

Accepted Answer

The group should focus on health education to provide accurate information about effective ways of disciplining children and to address any misconceptions that parents may have. Support and socialization may be important aspects of the group, but the primary focus should be on education. Symptom management is not relevant to this issue.

Question 19

Guidelines followed by the leader of a therapeutic group include focusing on recognizing dysfunctional behaviour and thinking patterns, followed by identifying and practising more adaptive alternate behaviours and thinking. Which theory is evident by this approach?

Accepted Answer

This approach is characteristic of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and changing dysfunctional thinking patterns and behaviours to more adaptive ones.

Question 20

A patient tells members of a therapy group, "I hear voices saying my doctor is poisoning me." Another patient replies, "I used to hear voices too. They sounded real, but I found out later they were not. The voices you hear are not real either." Which therapeutic factor is exemplified in this interchange?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient tells members of a therapy...

Quiz 33: Therapeutic Groups