Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What type of intervention does a nurse suggest when encouraging a patient to consider other possibilities for their problems?

1. Cognitive intervention

2. Behavioral intervention

3. Physical intervention

4. Emotional intervention

The correct answer is: Cognitive intervention

The suggestion of a cognitive intervention is grounded in its focus on encouraging the patient to re-evaluate their thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions about their problems. This type of intervention aims to challenge negative thinking patterns and promote a more optimistic and constructive perspective. Cognitive interventions often involve techniques such as reframing thoughts, exploring alternatives, and identifying cognitive distortions that contribute to a patient’s distress. By guiding the patient to consider other possibilities, the nurse helps them to develop critical thinking skills and encourages them to explore different solutions or viewpoints regarding their issues. This can be particularly beneficial in helping patients find new ways to cope with challenges, fostering problem-solving skills and resilience. Behavioral interventions would focus more on modifying a patient’s actions rather than their thought processes. Physical interventions typically involve addressing bodily needs or medical issues, while emotional interventions deal with expressing and processing feelings. While all these approaches are valuable in nursing practice, in the context of this question, the cognitive intervention stands out as the most relevant choice when encouraging a patient to explore alternate perspectives on their problems.