Question 1

A patient is about to undergo bone marrow aspiration and biopsy and expresses fear and anxiety about the procedure; which nursing response is most effective?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Providing presence and guiding slow deep breathing directly reduces anxiety and is a therapeutic, supportive response before an invasive procedure. The other options are either threatening, potentially unhelpful, or unnecessarily delay care.

Question 2

The nurse is performing an assessment on a client who says, 'You people are part of the government plotting to destroy me.' Which is the most appropriate nurse response?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Use therapeutic communication during assessment of delusions: invite the client to describe beliefs to gather data without agreeing or arguing. A delays care, B validates the delusion, and D shifts to teaching rather than assessment.

Question 3

A client with a diagnosis of depression says to the nurse, 'I've always been a failure.' Which therapeutic response should the nurse make?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Reflecting and encouraging elaboration is therapeutic. Option D restates the feeling and invites the client to explore, while A and B offer nontherapeutic reassurance and C minimizes the experience.

Question 4

Providing health education about environmental hygiene to the community is an example of which type of communication?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Community health education is a planned, structured, professional message delivered to a group, which constitutes formal communication. Social communication is casual, and therapeutic communication focuses on one-to-one helping relationships.

Question 5

The therapeutic relationship in psychiatric-mental health nursing is primarily focused on?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Therapeutic nurse–client relationships emphasize a collaborative partnership that promotes the client’s growth and adaptive functioning, not control, one-sided support, or purely medical interventions.

Question 6

Which nursing statement is most appropriate to say to a client with a head injury who regains consciousness after several days?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: After a head injury, the priority on awakening is to assess level of consciousness and orientation. Asking the client to state their name and where they live evaluates orientation. The other options are either nontherapeutic or provide information before assessing.

Question 7

What is the most appropriate response from the nurse when a patient expresses feelings of loss after their below-the-knee amputation?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Acknowledges and validates the patient’s feelings with empathy. Other options minimize feelings or shift focus prematurely, which is nontherapeutic.

Question 8

Which nursing statement is most appropriate to initiate a conversation with a client meeting for the first time in a mental health unit?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: An open-ended, broad opening invites the client to lead the conversation and builds rapport during the first meeting. The other options are closed or focus on history rather than establishing therapeutic communication.

Question 9

Which type of family-nurse contact provides the best opportunity to observe family dynamics?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: A home visit allows the nurse to observe natural interactions among family members within their environment, giving the most accurate view of family dynamics.

Question 10

What is the best way for a nurse aide to communicate with a client who is totally deaf?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: For a client who is totally deaf, written communication is the most reliable option. Speaking loudly or rapidly will not help and avoiding eye contact is inappropriate.

Question 11

What is the best way for a nurse aide to communicate with a client who is totally deaf?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: For a client who is totally deaf, written communication is the most reliable and clear method. Speaking loudly or rapidly is ineffective, and avoiding eye contact is non-therapeutic.

Question 12

Special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand are known as what?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The definition given matches the standard definition of jargon—specialized language used by a profession or group and often not easily understood by outsiders. Other choices do not specifically denote this concept.

Question 13

A depressed client in an assisted living facility tells the nurse that 'life isn't worth living anymore.' What is the BEST response to this statement?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Directly assessing for suicidal ideation is the safest and most therapeutic action; the other options minimize or deflect the client’s feelings.

Question 14

A nurse entering the room of a postpartum mother observes the baby lying at the edge of the bed while the woman sits in a chair. The mother states, "This is not my baby, and I do not want it." The nurse's BEST response is?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Use therapeutic communication: acknowledge feelings and invite the mother to share her experience with an open-ended, nonjudgmental prompt. Other options minimize her feelings or give false reassurance.

Question 15

The nurse is planning to give a three year-old child oral digoxin. Which of the following is the BEST approach by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Preschoolers benefit from limited choices to promote autonomy and cooperation. Offering how to take the medicine gives control without allowing refusal. The other options are either a yes/no invitation to refuse (A), vague reassurance (B), or authoritarian and likely to provoke resistance (C).

Question 16

At the geriatric day care program a client is crying and repeating "I want to go home. Call my daddy to come for me." The nurse should?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: A distressed, disoriented geriatric client should be gently oriented with simple, concrete information to reduce fear and increase safety. Promising to call someone, diverting, or directing firmly do not address the anxiety or orientation needs.

Question 17

The nurse is teaching childbirth preparation classes. One woman asks about her rights to develop a birthing plan. Which response made by the nurse would be BEST?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Best response uses therapeutic communication to explore and inform the couple about their rights before plan development. The other choices deflect to the physician, are potentially defensive, or are premature planning.

Question 18

An adolescent client comes to the clinic three weeks after the birth of her first baby. She tells the nurse she is concerned because she has not returned to her pre-pregnant weight. Which of the following should be a FIRST intervention?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Begin with therapeutic communication to assess feelings and body image concerns in an adolescent postpartum client before teaching or dietary assessment.

Question 19

The INITIAL nursing intervention for a delusional client who refuses to eat because of a belief that the food is poisoned is?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Initial response should use therapeutic communication that acknowledges the client's perception without validating the delusion. Option A is a reflective statement that invites discussion. B asks "why" and can be defensive, C dismisses feelings, and D offers false reassurance and argues with the delusion.

Question 20

A nurse maintains an uncrossed arm and leg posture. This nonverbal behavior is reflective of which letter of the SOLER acronym for active listening?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: In the SOLER active listening acronym, O stands for Open posture, reflected by uncrossed arms and legs.

Question 21

During the patient interview, a nurse should?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Clarifying incongruent verbal and nonverbal cues is a core therapeutic communication technique. Repeated probing, false reassurance, and telling the patient what to do are nontherapeutic.

Question 22

The nurse asks the patient what he would like to talk about. This is an example of?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Asking the client what they would like to discuss invites the client to set the topic and lead the conversation, which is the therapeutic technique of using broad openings.

Question 23

When inquiring about past health history, the patient may not answer completely due to?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Memory lapses, acute illness affecting cognition, lack of understanding of the relevance of past events, and nurse use of jargon can all lead to incomplete health histories; therefore, all listed factors apply.

Question 24

What is the purpose of a nurse providing appropriate feedback?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: In therapeutic communication, feedback aims to provide the client with clear, specific, nonjudgmental information that enhances awareness and guides self-evaluation, not to give advice or judge behavior.

Question 25

In the patient interview, the nurse should?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Effective interviewing requires therapeutic communication that fosters mutual respect and collaboration. The other options are authoritarian, culturally insensitive, or overly restrictive.

Question 26

When the nurse takes the patient's nursing history, where is the most therapeutic place for the nurse to sit?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The therapeutic interview is best conducted at personal distance (about 18 inches to 4 feet), which promotes comfort and engagement without invading intimate space.

Question 27

The nurse asks the client what that experience was like. Which communication skill is the nurse using?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Asking what an experience was like invites the client to elaborate and describe the event in more depth, which is the therapeutic technique of exploring. It is not focused on perceptual phenomena (description of perceptions) and is not a request for justification (requesting an explanation).

Question 28

The nurse identify client's problems and goals to using critical thinking skills to validate information in?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: During the working phase of the nurse–client relationship, the nurse and client identify problems, set goals, and validate information using critical thinking.

Question 29

Interviewing a patient with visual impairment may require the nurse to do all of the following except?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Visual impairment does not affect hearing, so increasing voice volume is unnecessary. Obtaining permission before touching, announcing entry/exit, and orienting to the environment are appropriate strategies.

Question 30

Cultural competence is the process of?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: In nursing, cultural competence is defined as a process of acquiring specific cultural knowledge, skills, and attitudes (Campinha-Bacote model), not merely learning about many cultures or motivation alone.

Question 31

The statement-I'm not sure what you mean, could you tell me about that again- is what type of therapeutic communication technique?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The statement requests the client to explain further to ensure understanding, which is the therapeutic technique of clarification.

Question 32

This statement is an example of what NON-therapeutic communication technique? Yawning when the client is speaking, looking at watch frequently, missing clients messages?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Yawning, checking the watch, and missing messages show inattentiveness and poor engagement—hallmarks of the non-therapeutic technique "failure to listen.

Question 33

This statement is an example of what NON-therapeutic communication technique? Client: I'll never get out of here; Caregiver: everything will turn out for the best?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Telling the client "everything will turn out for the best" offers unfounded optimism and dismisses feelings, which is the nontherapeutic technique of giving false reassurance.

Question 34

What is the primary role of a nurse?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Nurses do not primarily perform surgery or diagnose diseases, and medication administration is one task among many. A core, overarching role of nursing is holistic patient care that includes providing emotional support.

Question 35

To minimize confusion in the elderly hospitalized client, the nurse should?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Calm, clear explanations decrease anxiety and help orient the elderly client, reducing confusion. Varying routines (A) and bright lights/TV (B) can overstimulate and worsen confusion. Restricting visitors to phone calls (C) may reduce supportive orientation from familiar people.

Question 36

The client with confusion says to the nurse, "I haven’t had anything to eat all day long. When are they going to bring breakfast?" The nurse saw the client in the day room eating breakfast with other clients 30 minutes before this conversation. Which response would be best for the nurse to make?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: With a confused client, avoid arguing or challenging their perception; instead meet needs and offer simple reassurance. Providing a light snack is compassionate and therapeutic, while the other options either confront, deceive, or dismiss the client.

Question 37

What therapeutic communication technique involves asking the patient to compare similarities and differences in experiences and ideas?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Encouraging comparison specifically prompts the client to examine similarities and differences among experiences or ideas. Reflecting mirrors content or feelings, seeking clarification asks for clearer meaning, and exploring probes deeper into a topic.

Question 38

In which phase does the termination of the interpersonal relationship start?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Planning for termination is established during the orientation phase when the nurse and client set the contract, goals, and time limits for the relationship.

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT a therapeutic communication technique?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Silence, accepting, and offering self are standard therapeutic communication techniques. "Feedback" is not a classic therapeutic technique and may introduce judgment, so it is the best choice for not therapeutic.

Question 40

Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse-client interaction? Client: 'My father spanked me often.' Nurse: 'Your father was a harsh disciplinarian.'?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The nurse rephrases the client's statement to confirm understanding, which is restatement. It is not offering general leads, focusing, or accepting.

Question 41

Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse–client interaction? Client: "When I am anxious, the only thing that calms me down is alcohol." Nurse: "Other than drinking, what alternatives have you explored to decrease anxiety?"?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The nurse prompts the client to consider alternative strategies to manage anxiety, which encourages problem-solving and planning—hallmarks of the therapeutic technique "formulating a plan of action.

Question 42

The nurse is interviewing a newly admitted psychiatric client. Which nursing statement is an example of offering a "general lead"?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: A general lead is a therapeutic communication technique that encourages the client to continue talking without directing content; “Yes, I see. Go on.” invites elaboration. The other options are closed or directive.

Question 43

A nurse states to a client, "Things will look better tomorrow after a good night's sleep." This is an example of which communication technique?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Promising that things will improve offers unfounded reassurance and minimizes the client’s feelings, which blocks therapeutic communication.

Question 44

A client diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit for evaluation and medication stabilization. Which therapeutic communication technique used by the nurse is an example of a broad opening?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Broad openings invite the client to choose the topic and lead the conversation; "What would you like to talk about?" does this. The other options are directive (A), an observation (C), or problem-focused (D).

Question 45

An instructor is correcting a nursing student’s clinical worksheet. Which instructor statement is the best example of effective feedback?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Effective feedback is specific, objective, and focuses on behavior and standards without blaming. Option C identifies the behavior and the confidentiality violation in a nonjudgmental manner. Options A, B, and D are accusatory or judgmental.

Question 46

After assertiveness training, a formerly passive client appropriately confronts a peer in group therapy. The group leader states, "I'm so proud of you for being assertive. You are so good!" Which communication technique has the leader employed?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The leader’s value-laden praise conveys approval, which is a nontherapeutic technique because it imposes the nurse’s judgment. Interpreting analyzes meaning, presenting reality addresses misperceptions, and making observations describes behavior without judgment.

Question 47

A client who frequently exhibits angry outbursts is diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. Which appropriate feedback should a nurse provide when this client experiences an angry outburst?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Therapeutic feedback should be objective, nonjudgmental, and focus on specific observed behaviors. Option D describes the behavior factually. The other options are judgmental or use “why” questions, which are nontherapeutic.

Question 48

A client diagnosed with dependent personality disorder states, "Do you think I should move from my parent's house and get a job?" Which nursing response is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Avoid giving advice, asking "why," or inducing guilt. Exploring options supports autonomy and uses therapeutic communication for a client with dependent personality disorder.

Question 49

When interviewing a client, which nonverbal behavior should a nurse employ?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Therapeutic communication uses SOLER: Sit squarely, Open posture, Lean toward, Eye contact, Relax. Sitting squarely facing the client promotes engagement; the other options contradict SOLER (indirect eye contact, leaning back, crossed limbs).

Question 50

A mother rescues two of her four children from a house fire. In the emergency department, she cries, "I should have gone back in to get them. I should have died, not them." What is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Reflecting and naming the client's feelings is therapeutic, encourages expression, and avoids minimizing, advising, or false reassurance.

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A patient is about to undergo bone marrow aspiration and biopsy and expresses fear and anxiety about the procedure; which nursing response is most effective?

The nurse is performing an assessment on a client who says, 'You people are part of the government plotting to destroy me.' Which is the most appropriate nurse response?

A client with a diagnosis of depression says to the nurse, 'I've always been a failure.' Which therapeutic response should the nurse make?

Providing health education about environmental hygiene to the community is an example of which type of communication?

The therapeutic relationship in psychiatric-mental health nursing is primarily focused on?

Which nursing statement is most appropriate to say to a client with a head injury who regains consciousness after several days?

What is the most appropriate response from the nurse when a patient expresses feelings of loss after their below-the-knee amputation?

Which nursing statement is most appropriate to initiate a conversation with a client meeting for the first time in a mental health unit?

Which type of family-nurse contact provides the best opportunity to observe family dynamics?

What is the best way for a nurse aide to communicate with a client who is totally deaf?

What is the best way for a nurse aide to communicate with a client who is totally deaf?

Special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand are known as what?

A depressed client in an assisted living facility tells the nurse that 'life isn't worth living anymore.' What is the BEST response to this statement?

A nurse entering the room of a postpartum mother observes the baby lying at the edge of the bed while the woman sits in a chair. The mother states, "This is not my baby, and I do not want it." The nurse's BEST response is?

The nurse is planning to give a three year-old child oral digoxin. Which of the following is the BEST approach by the nurse?

At the geriatric day care program a client is crying and repeating "I want to go home. Call my daddy to come for me." The nurse should?

The nurse is teaching childbirth preparation classes. One woman asks about her rights to develop a birthing plan. Which response made by the nurse would be BEST?

An adolescent client comes to the clinic three weeks after the birth of her first baby. She tells the nurse she is concerned because she has not returned to her pre-pregnant weight. Which of the following should be a FIRST intervention?

The INITIAL nursing intervention for a delusional client who refuses to eat because of a belief that the food is poisoned is?

A nurse maintains an uncrossed arm and leg posture. This nonverbal behavior is reflective of which letter of the SOLER acronym for active listening?

During the patient interview, a nurse should?

The nurse asks the patient what he would like to talk about. This is an example of?

When inquiring about past health history, the patient may not answer completely due to?

What is the purpose of a nurse providing appropriate feedback?

In the patient interview, the nurse should?

When the nurse takes the patient's nursing history, where is the most therapeutic place for the nurse to sit?

The nurse asks the client what that experience was like. Which communication skill is the nurse using?

The nurse identify client's problems and goals to using critical thinking skills to validate information in?

Interviewing a patient with visual impairment may require the nurse to do all of the following except?

Cultural competence is the process of?

The statement-I'm not sure what you mean, could you tell me about that again- is what type of therapeutic communication technique?

This statement is an example of what NON-therapeutic communication technique? Yawning when the client is speaking, looking at watch frequently, missing clients messages?

This statement is an example of what NON-therapeutic communication technique? Client: I'll never get out of here; Caregiver: everything will turn out for the best?

What is the primary role of a nurse?

To minimize confusion in the elderly hospitalized client, the nurse should?

The client with confusion says to the nurse, "I haven’t had anything to eat all day long. When are they going to bring breakfast?" The nurse saw the client in the day room eating breakfast with other clients 30 minutes before this conversation. Which response would be best for the nurse to make?

What therapeutic communication technique involves asking the patient to compare similarities and differences in experiences and ideas?

In which phase does the termination of the interpersonal relationship start?

Which of the following is NOT a therapeutic communication technique?

Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse-client interaction? Client: 'My father spanked me often.' Nurse: 'Your father was a harsh disciplinarian.'?

Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse–client interaction? Client: "When I am anxious, the only thing that calms me down is alcohol." Nurse: "Other than drinking, what alternatives have you explored to decrease anxiety?"?

The nurse is interviewing a newly admitted psychiatric client. Which nursing statement is an example of offering a "general lead"?

A nurse states to a client, "Things will look better tomorrow after a good night's sleep." This is an example of which communication technique?

A client diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit for evaluation and medication stabilization. Which therapeutic communication technique used by the nurse is an example of a broad opening?

An instructor is correcting a nursing student’s clinical worksheet. Which instructor statement is the best example of effective feedback?

After assertiveness training, a formerly passive client appropriately confronts a peer in group therapy. The group leader states, "I'm so proud of you for being assertive. You are so good!" Which communication technique has the leader employed?

A client who frequently exhibits angry outbursts is diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. Which appropriate feedback should a nurse provide when this client experiences an angry outburst?

A client diagnosed with dependent personality disorder states, "Do you think I should move from my parent's house and get a job?" Which nursing response is most appropriate?

When interviewing a client, which nonverbal behavior should a nurse employ?

A mother rescues two of her four children from a house fire. In the emergency department, she cries, "I should have gone back in to get them. I should have died, not them." What is the nurse's best response?

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