Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Modalities 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which psychotherapy approach focuses on identifying and modifying distorted thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress?
- Psychoanalytic therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (Correct answer)
- Gestalt therapy
- Interpersonal therapy
Correct answer: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT targets maladaptive cognitive distortions and behaviors to reduce psychological symptoms.
Question 2: A PMHNP is implementing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Which skill module teaches patients to tolerate painful emotions without acting impulsively?
- Interpersonal effectiveness
- Mindfulness
- Distress tolerance (Correct answer)
- Emotion regulation
Correct answer: Distress tolerance
Distress tolerance skills help patients endure crisis situations without making them worse.
Question 3: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is the first-line evidence-based treatment for which condition?
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar I disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Correct answer)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Correct answer: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
EMDR is a well-established, evidence-based treatment specifically validated for PTSD.
Question 4: In motivational interviewing, what does the acronym OARS stand for?
- Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries (Correct answer)
- Outcomes, Assessments, Referrals, Support
- Objectives, Actions, Reflections, Solutions
- Open questions, Alternatives, Reasoning, Strategies
Correct answer: Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries
OARS represents the core communication techniques used in motivational interviewing to build rapport and elicit change talk.
Question 5: Which therapeutic modality uses structured family sessions to identify dysfunctional communication patterns and realign family roles?
- Individual psychodynamic therapy
- Structural family therapy (Correct answer)
- Existential therapy
- Narrative therapy
Correct answer: Structural family therapy
Structural family therapy, developed by Salvador Minuchin, focuses on reorganizing family structure to improve functioning.
Question 6: A PMHNP using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) would primarily help patients to:
- Eliminate all negative thoughts
- Accept difficult emotions and commit to value-driven actions (Correct answer)
- Analyze childhood experiences
- Practice progressive muscle relaxation
Correct answer: Accept difficult emotions and commit to value-driven actions
ACT promotes psychological flexibility by accepting internal experiences and aligning behavior with personal values.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Modalities 1
Which psychotherapy approach focuses on identifying and modifying distorted thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress?