RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2021
Mental Health Nursing
Easy

Cognitive therapy is used for?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2021

Explanation

  • Cognitive Therapy (CT) is a first-line psychotherapeutic treatment for depression, with an efficacy comparable to antidepressant medications.
  • It was developed by Aaron Beck and is based on the theory that distorted thinking patterns (cognitive distortions) are central to the development and maintenance of depression.
  • The therapy specifically targets the 'cognitive triad' of depression: pervasive negative thoughts about oneself, the world, and the future.
  • The goal is to help patients identify these automatic negative thoughts, evaluate their validity, and replace them with more realistic and adaptive thinking.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: The primary treatment for mania, an episode of bipolar disorder, is pharmacological, using mood stabilizers like lithium or valproate.
  • Option B: Paranoia involves intense, irrational suspicion and is often a symptom of psychotic disorders like schizophrenia or delusional disorder. The first-line treatment is antipsychotic medication.
  • Option D: Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder characterized by symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and negative symptoms. The cornerstone of treatment is antipsychotic medication.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: Knowing Primary indication for Cognitive Therapy helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
  • Nurses can utilize basic principles of cognitive therapy in patient interactions by encouraging them to identify and reframe negative self-talk, which can improve mood and coping.
  • Understanding that depression is maintained by thought patterns highlights the importance of psychoeducation. Nurses can explain to patients how therapy works alongside medication to treat the condition comprehensively.
  • Assessing for the cognitive triad (hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness) is a crucial nursing function in identifying suicide risk in depressed patients.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the core concept of the question, which is 'Cognitive therapy'.
  • Recall the primary psychiatric condition for which this specific therapy was developed and is most widely recognized as a first-line treatment.
  • Evaluate each option based on this knowledge. Consider whether CT is a primary or an adjunctive therapy for each condition.
  • While CT/CBT has applications in many disorders, it is most strongly and primarily associated with depression.
  • Select the option that represents the main and most established indication for cognitive therapy.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Primary indication for Cognitive Therapy
  • Stem keywords: Cognitive therapy, used for
  • Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

Q93Q9MQMiDXHDL8LJrPgK3

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 9763-9765, 14832-14834

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 2418-2420

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.