Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A single parent is experiencing feelings of inadequacy related to work and family since one teenaged child ran away 2 weeks ago. The parent seeks the help of a therapist specializing in cognitive therapy. The psychotherapist who uses cognitive therapy will treat the client by:
Select one:
A. helping the patient how to identify and change faulty thinking
Cognitive therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to psychological distress. In this case, the single parent is experiencing feelings of inadequacy related to work and family since one teenaged child ran away 2 weeks ago. The cognitive therapist would work with the client to identify any negative or distorted thoughts they may be having about themselves, their situation, and their ability to cope. Through cognitive therapy, the therapist would help the client learn how to challenge and change their negative thoughts and beliefs, replacing them with more realistic and positive ones. The goal of cognitive therapy is to help the client develop new coping skills and ways of thinking that will enable them to better manage their emotions and improve their overall well-being.
B. negatively reinforcing an undesirable behavior every day to avoid-it
Option b, negatively reinforcing an undesirable behavior every day to avoid it, is not a component of cognitive therapy. This approach is more aligned with behavioral therapy, which focuses on modifying behaviors through reinforcement and punishment.
C. focusing on conscious mental processes
Option c, focusing on conscious mental processes, is partially correct, as cognitive therapy does focus on conscious mental processes. However, this alone does not fully capture the essence of cognitive therapy.
D. always discussing Freud ego stages
Option d, always discussing Freud ego stages, is not relevant to cognitive therapy, as it is a psychoanalytic approach developed by Freud that focuses on the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Mental Health - Proctored Exam 2. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Cognitive therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to psychological distress. In this case, the single parent is experiencing feelings of inadequacy related to work and family since one teenaged child ran away 2 weeks ago. The cognitive therapist would work with the client to identify any negative or distorted thoughts they may be having about themselves, their situation, and their ability to cope.
Through cognitive therapy, the therapist would help the client learn how to challenge and change their negative thoughts and beliefs, replacing them with more realistic and positive ones. The goal of cognitive therapy is to help the client develop new coping skills and ways of thinking that will enable them to better manage their emotions and improve their overall well-being.
Option b, negatively reinforcing an undesirable behavior every day to avoid it, is not a component of cognitive therapy. This approach is more aligned with behavioral therapy, which focuses on modifying behaviors through reinforcement and punishment.
Option c, focusing on conscious mental processes, is partially correct, as cognitive therapy does focus on conscious mental processes. However, this alone does not fully capture the essence of cognitive therapy.
Option d, always discussing Freud ego stages, is not relevant to cognitive therapy, as it is a psychoanalytic approach developed by Freud that focuses on the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences.

Similar Questions
A client is diagnosed with cancer and is told that surgery followed by chemotherapy will be necessary. The client states to the nurse, "l have read a lot about complementary therapies. Do you think I should try any?" The nurse should respond by making which appropriate statement?
Select one:
A. "Let's talk more about the different forms of complementary therapies."
This response acknowledges the client's interest in complementary therapies and opens up a conversation about the different types available. It also allows the nurse to provide education and information about the potential benefits and risks of complementary therapies and how they may interact with the planned treatment.
B. "l really don't know, you need to ask your health care provider about it"
C. "If I were you, I would try anything that I could if I had cancer."
D. "No, because complementary therapies always interact with the chemotherapy."
Full Explanation
This response acknowledges the client's interest in complementary therapies and opens up a conversation about the different types available. It also allows the nurse to provide education and information about the potential benefits and risks of complementary therapies and how they may interact with the planned treatment.
A nurse Observes a client who has OCD repeatedly applying, removing, and then reapplying makeup. The nurse identifies that repetitive behavior in a client who has OCD is due to which of the following underlying reasons?
Select one:
A. Adverse effect of antidepressant medication
B. Attempt to reduce anxiety
Repetitive behaviors in individuals with OCD are often compulsions that are performed in an attempt to reduce anxiety or distress. These compulsions can take many forms, including repetitive actions such as applying and removing makeup. By engaging in these behaviors, the individual may feel a temporary reduction in anxiety or distress.
C. Narcissistic behavior
D. Fear of rejection from staff
Full Explanation
Repetitive behaviors in individuals with OCD are often compulsions that are performed in an attempt to reduce anxiety or distress. These compulsions can take many forms, including repetitive actions such as applying and removing makeup. By engaging in these behaviors, the individual may feel a temporary reduction in anxiety or distress.
A registered nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and is constantly picking up after others in the day room. The nurse should recognize that the client uses this behavior to do which of the following?
A. Decrease anxiety to a tolerable level.
Individuals with OCD often engage in compulsive behaviors as a way to reduce anxiety or distress. In this case, the client’s behavior of constantly picking up after others in the day room may be a compulsion that helps them decrease their anxiety to a tolerable level.
B. Focus attention on meaningful tasks,
C. Limit the amount of time available to interact with others.
D. Manipulate and control others' behaviors.
Full Explanation
Individuals with OCD often engage in compulsive behaviors as a way to reduce anxiety or distress. In this case, the client’s behavior of constantly picking up after others in the day room may be a compulsion that helps them decrease their anxiety to a tolerable level.