General Psychology (Nursing Prerequisite) - Final Assessment Review - OSU 2025, Exams of Psychology

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Nursing Prerequisite – General

Psychology

3 Credits

Final Assessment Review

(Questions & Solutions)

1. Question: A nurse researcher is evaluating an intervention designed to reduce patient anxiety before surgery. The study uses a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with a control group receiving standard care. Which of the following is the primary advantage of using an RCT?

• A) It eliminates all forms of bias.
• B) It allows for cause-and-effect conclusions.
• C) It is less costly than observational studies.
• D) It minimizes the need for blinding. Correct ANS: B) It allows for cause-and-effect conclusions. Rationale: RCTs provide the strongest evidence for causality through random assignment, which reduces confounding factors and permits conclusions about the effect of an intervention on outcomes—a critical issue when evaluating treatments such as anxiolytic interventions in surgical patients.

2. Question: In a research study on stress and coping in nurses, the investigators find that high levels of perceived stress are associated with decreased job satisfaction. This relationship is best described as:

• A) Causal.
• B) Inverse correlation.
• C) Direct correlation.
• D) Spurious association. Correct ANS: B) Inverse correlation. Rationale: An inverse correlation indicates that as one variable increases (perceived stress), the other variable (job satisfaction) decreases. Recognizing such patterns assists nursing professionals in identifying factors that may negatively affect clinical performance and well-being.

5. Question: A hospital implements a program to reduce caregiver burnout. Based on self-determination theory, which factor is most critical for enhancing intrinsic motivation among nurses?

• A) Financial incentives.
• B) External rewards.
• C) Autonomy and competence.
• D) Strict supervision of work tasks. Correct ANS: C) Autonomy and competence. Rationale: Self-determination theory stresses that intrinsic motivation is fueled by feelings of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When nurses feel they have control over their work and are skilled, they are more likely to experience job satisfaction and resilience.

6. Question: A study investigates the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance in medical-surgical nurses. Which psychological construct most likely explains why reduced sleep impairs decision-making?

• A) Reduced neuroplasticity.
• B) Impaired executive function.
• C) Increased sensory sensitivity.
• D) Enhanced creativity. Correct ANS: B) Impaired executive function. Rationale: Executive functions, including planning, judgement, and decision- making, are highly sensitive to sleep loss. Understanding this link is crucial for nurses managing fatigue-related risks and for designing interventions to promote patient safety.

7. Question: A nurse educator reviews a study that shows a significant difference

between two groups using a p-value of 0.02. Which of the following statements best describes this finding?

• A) There is a 2% chance that the null hypothesis is true.
• B) The probability of obtaining these results by chance is 2% if the null is true.
• C) The effect size is 0.02.
• D) The hypothesis is proven correct. Correct ANS: B) The probability of obtaining these results by chance is 2% if the null is true. Rationale: A p-value of 0.02 indicates that there is a 2% probability of observing the study’s findings (or more extreme results) if the null hypothesis were true. This helps determine that the results are statistically significant, which guides evidence-based practice.

8. Question: In exploring personality theories, a nursing student is asked to compare trait theory and social-cognitive theory. Which of the following statements best distinguishes these theories?

• A) Trait theory emphasizes learned behaviors, whereas social-cognitive theory stresses biological bases.
• B) Trait theory focuses on consistent personality characteristics, while social-cognitive theory highlights the role of situational factors and cognitive processing.
• C) Trait theory is exclusively used to assess psychopathology, while social-cognitive theory is used for developmental psychology.
• D) Trait theory is outdated and irrelevant to modern nursing practice. Correct ANS: B) Trait theory focuses on consistent personality characteristics, while social-cognitive theory highlights the role of situational factors and cognitive processing. Rationale: Trait theories propose that personality is composed of enduring characteristics, whereas social-cognitive theories assert that behavior is a

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (Questions 11–20)

11. Question: The __________ perspective in psychology emphasizes observable behavior and the role of environmental stimuli in shaping behavior, which can inform behavioral interventions in nursing. ANS: Behaviorist Rationale: The behaviorist perspective focuses on measurable behaviors and stimulus-response associations. Nurses may use techniques derived from behaviorism (e.g., rewards and reinforcement) to modify patient and staff behaviors.
12. Question: __________ research design is often used in psychology to study changes in an individual over time and is particularly useful in measuring the long- term effects of interventions on patient recovery. ANS: Longitudinal Rationale: Longitudinal designs involve repeated observations of the same variables over extended periods. They allow nurses to monitor patient progress and the enduring impact of therapeutic interventions.
13. Question: According to __________ theory, individuals are motivated by a desire to fulfill their potential, a concept that underlies many health promotion initiatives and patient education programs. ANS: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs Rationale:

Maslow’s theory proposes that people are motivated to achieve basic needs before concentrating on higher-level needs such as self- actualization. This framework aids nurses in prioritizing patient care according to levels of need.

14. Question: The phenomenon in which exposure to a stimulus leads to decreased sensitivity over time is known as __________, a concept relevant to understanding sensory adaptation in both patients and staff. ANS: habituation Rationale: Habituation is a decrease in response to repeated stimuli. In a healthcare setting, this concept can explain how both patients and healthcare workers may become less sensitive to ongoing environmental or emotional stressors.
15. Question: __________ occurs when an individual’s mood or behavior is influenced by their current physiological state, such as sleep deprivation or pain, impacting their decision-making. ANS: Affect Rationale: Affect refers to the observable expression of mood and emotions. Nurses must consider the role of affect in patient interactions, since a person’s physical state can significantly alter their emotional responses and clinical choices.
16. Question: The __________ model of emotion posits that emotions are the result of cognitive interpretations of physiological changes, a process that can influence patient coping strategies. ANS: two-factor (Schachter-Singer)

ANS: anchoring Rationale: Anchoring bias occurs when initial information unduly influences subsequent judgments. In clinical practice, awareness of this bias can help nurses make more accurate assessments and decisions.

20. Question: __________ is the process of drawing generalized conclusions from specific observations, a fundamental reasoning skill that is critical in diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making. ANS: Inductive reasoning Rationale: Inductive reasoning involves forming generalizations based on specific data. It is essential for nurses when evaluating patient symptoms and forming care plans based on observed patterns.

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True/False Questions (Questions 21–30) 

21. Question: True/False: In clinical psychology, the term “operant conditioning” refers to learning through punishments and rewards in which behaviors are modified based on their consequences. Correct ANS: True Rationale: Operant conditioning is a learning process that uses reinforcement or punishment to modify behavior. This principle can be applied in settings such as behavior modification programs and patient care strategies.
22. Question: True/False: According to cognitive psychology, mental processing speed remains constant throughout the lifespan, having no significant impact

on clinical performance. Correct ANS: False Rationale: Research shows that mental processing speed typically declines with age. Recognizing this variability is important for tailoring interventions and expectations for different patient populations.

23. Question: True/False: The principles of social psychology explain that group dynamics and conformity can influence health behaviors, such as a patient’s willingness to adhere to prescribed treatments. Correct ANS: True Rationale: Social psychology demonstrates how group norms and peer influences affect behavior. In healthcare, clinicians must acknowledge the role of social influences on patient adherence and lifestyle changes.
24. Question: True/False: Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person experiences a discrepancy between conflicting beliefs or behaviors, potentially leading them to modify one to align with the other. Correct ANS: True Rationale: Cognitive dissonance theory explains how individuals strive for internal consistency, and this discomfort may prompt behavioral change—a concept relevant to patient counseling and health behavior modification.
25. Question: True/False: The concept of self-efficacy, defined as the belief in one’s own competence to accomplish tasks, is a central element of Bandura’s social-cognitive theory and can significantly affect patient recovery.

Correct ANS: True Rationale: The placebo effect shows that psychological factors such as expectations and belief in treatment can produce measurable physiological changes, an idea that is important when assessing treatment efficacy.

29. Question: True/False: Attribution theory explains how individuals infer the causes of behavior, which can lead to biases in how healthcare providers interpret patient compliance. Correct ANS: True Rationale: Attribution theory describes how people assign causes to behavior. Misattributions, such as blaming noncompliance on laziness rather than external barriers, can affect the nurse-patient relationship and care planning.
30. Question: True/False: Research on stress in psychology has shown that both acute and chronic stress can negatively impact immune function, which is relevant for understanding vulnerability to infections in clinical populations. Correct ANS: True Rationale: The detrimental effects of stress on immune function are well documented. This knowledge underscores the importance of stress management interventions in patient care.

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Multiple Response Questions (Questions 31–40) 

31. Question: Which of the following are key components of cognitive psychology that inform clinical decision-making and patient education? (Select all that apply)

• A) Perception
• B) Memory
• C) Learning
• D) Genetic inheritance Correct ANSs: A, B, C Rationale: Cognitive psychology encompasses processes such as perception, memory, and learning—all crucial for understanding how patients process health information and for guiding effective education strategies. Genetic inheritance, while biologically important, is not a core component of cognitive processing.

32. Question: When evaluating interventions for stress reduction in patients, which psychological techniques are commonly employed? (Select all that apply)

• A) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• B) Mindfulness-based stress reduction
• C) Psychoanalysis focusing exclusively on childhood memories
• D) Biofeedback Correct ANSs: A, B, D Rationale: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and biofeedback are evidence-based techniques used to reduce stress and improve coping. While psychoanalysis is a valid approach, focusing exclusively on childhood memories is not typically part of standard stress reduction protocols.

33. Question: Which methods are used to assess the reliability and validity of

• B) Chronic stressors
• C) Eustress
• D) Mythic stressors Correct ANSs: A, B, C Rationale: Psychological studies distinguish between acute stressors (short-term), chronic stressors (long-term), and eustress (positive stress) that can motivate performance. “Mythic stressors” is not a recognized category.

36. Question: Which theories explain how personal beliefs and expectations can influence health outcomes, particularly in the context of the placebo effect? (Select all that apply)

• A) Expectancy theory
• B) Self-fulfilling prophecy
• C) Attribution theory
• D) Chaos theory Correct ANSs: A, B, C Rationale: Expectancy theory, the self-fulfilling prophecy, and attribution theory illuminate how beliefs influence outcomes. Chaos theory does not directly relate to the psychological mechanisms behind the placebo effect.

37. Question: Which strategies can be used by nurses to enhance patient adherence to treatment plans, based on psychological principles? (Select all that apply)

• A) Motivational interviewing
• B) Patient education and feedback
• C) Setting achievable behavioral goals
• D) Withholding information to avoid patient anxiety Correct ANSs: A, B, C

Rationale: Motivational interviewing, thorough patient education, and goal- setting are validated methods to improve adherence. Withholding information is contrary to ethical and effective clinical practice.

38. Question: Which constructs are central to understanding social influence on behavior in general psychology and are relevant to patient group dynamics? (Select all that apply)

• A) Conformity
• B) Obedience
• C) Social facilitation
• D) Quantum entanglement Correct ANSs: A, B, C Rationale: Conformity, obedience, and social facilitation are key constructs in social psychology that explain how group dynamics influence behavior. Quantum entanglement is a physical science concept and not applicable to social behavior.

39. Question: When evaluating the impact of mindfulness training on stress reduction in nurses, which outcome measures would be most appropriate to assess? (Select all that apply)

• A) Self-reported stress levels
• B) Cortisol levels (a biomarker of stress)
• C) Patient satisfaction scores
• D) Heart rate variability Correct ANSs: A, B, D Rationale: Self-reported stress, cortisol levels, and heart rate variability provide direct or indirect indicators of stress reduction efficacy. While patient satisfaction is important, it is not a direct measure of stress in the

avoidance. Fill-in-the-Blank: The process by which an individual unconsciously protects themselves from anxiety-provoking thoughts or feelings is known as a __. ANS: defense mechanism Rationale: Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies used to cope with reality in order to protect oneself from anxiety. True/False: The placebo effect demonstrates that psychological factors can influence physiological responses. ANS: True Rationale: The placebo effect shows that a person's belief in a treatment can lead to a real physiological change, highlighting the mind- body connection. Multiple Response: Which of the following are key components of the biopsychosocial model? (Select all that apply.) a) Biological factors b) Social factors c) Cognitive factors d) Psychological factors ANS: a, b, d

Rationale: The biopsychosocial model considers biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding health and illness. Multiple Choice: A nurse notices a patient frequently expressing illogical fears of contamination, despite repeated reassurance. This behavior is most indicative of: a) Schizophrenia b) Panic Disorder c) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) d) Bipolar Disorder ANS: c) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Rationale: OCD often involves obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors) aimed at reducing anxiety, such as fear of contamination. Fill-in-the-Blank: The tendency to overestimate the influence of personality traits and underestimate the influence of situational factors when explaining others' behavior is called the __. ANS: fundamental attribution error Rationale: This cognitive bias leads to judging others' actions based on their character rather than considering the context. True/False: Classical conditioning involves learning through the association of stimuli, while operant conditioning involves learning through