A client repeatedly stated, "I'm stupid.”. Which statement by that client would show progress resulting from cognitive behavioral therapy?
"I always fail when I try new things.”.
"Things always go wrong for me.”.
"Sometimes I do stupid things.”.
"I'm disappointed in my lack of ability.”.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
This statement reflects a global, self-defeating cognitive distortion known as overgeneralization, applying a single failure to all future attempts ("always fail"). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) aims to challenge and modify such rigid, irrational beliefs toward more balanced, realistic thinking, making this statement a lack of progress within the therapeutic framework.
Choice B rationale
This is another example of pervasive cognitive distortion, specifically all-or-nothing thinking or catastrophizing, suggesting a view that all life events are inherently negative ("always go wrong"). Progress in CBT involves moving away from these absolute terms to recognize situational variance and positive outcomes, thus this statement indicates limited therapeutic change.
Choice C rationale
This statement, "Sometimes I do stupid things," demonstrates cognitive restructuring and de-personalization of failure, which are key goals in CBT. By using the word "Sometimes," the client reframes the self-criticism from a global, fixed self-identity ("I'm stupid") to a specific, contextualized behavior ("do stupid things"), showing an awareness that negative actions do not define the whole self.
Choice D rationale
"I'm disappointed in my lack of ability" shifts the language from a global self-label to a feeling about a performance deficit. While less absolute than the original statement, it still focuses on an internal, perceived deficit ("lack of ability") rather than separating the behavior from the self and acknowledging the situational nature of error, which is the hallmark of progress in CBT.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) focuses on current interpersonal relationships and related issues like grief, role disputes, or social deficits. While the client's issue is relational, the core concern about being "too possessive" suggests an underlying, often unconscious, pattern of relating rooted in past experiences, which is better suited to psychodynamic exploration.
Choice B rationale
Psychodynamic therapy is the most suitable approach because it explores how early childhood experiences and unconscious processes (like transference and defense mechanisms) influence current relationship patterns and emotional conflicts. Possessiveness is often viewed as a maladaptive defense against deeper fears of abandonment, making an exploration of these historical roots essential.
Choice C rationale
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highly effective for modifying distorted thought patterns and specific maladaptive behaviors (e.g., compulsions). While CBT could address the behavior of possessiveness, it might not fully explore the root emotional and developmental basis of the possessive tendency, which is crucial for lasting change in relationship dynamics.
Choice D rationale
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is primarily designed for individuals with severe emotion dysregulation and impulsive behaviors, often associated with Borderline Personality Disorder. While it teaches valuable skills in mindfulness and distress tolerance, it is generally considered overly specialized for the possessiveness issue described without evidence of pervasive instability or severe self-harm.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Merely giving the client her sensory aids does not ensure they are used; a client may need physical assistance due to limited dexterity or cognitive impairment. The nurse's responsibility is to optimize the client's functional capacity for the interview, which requires ensuring the aids are correctly in place to maximize the ability to see and hear.
Choice B rationale
Assisting the client to put on her glasses and hearing aid directly addresses the potential barrier to communication and data collection. Optimal vision and hearing are essential for an older adult to accurately perceive and process verbal and nonverbal communication, thereby facilitating rapport, trust, and comprehensive, accurate assessment data collection.
Choice C rationale
Asking the client if she needs her aids, although respectful, is insufficient because the nurse already knows the aids are in the drawer. Furthermore, the client may decline due to embarrassment or confusion. The nurse's proactive, assistive approach is necessary to ensure optimal sensory function for an effective interview.
Choice D rationale
Explaining the interview process clearly is a standard communication technique, but it won't resolve the underlying sensory deficits. Even with a clear explanation, a client with uncorrected hearing and vision loss will likely miss important verbal and nonverbal cues, leading to miscommunication and compromised data reliability. Sensory correction is foundational.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.