NSG 3450 Mental Health Key - EXAM 2 200
Questions with Correct Answers and
Explanations.
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Relationships
1. A client tells the nurse, "I don't want to take my medication anymore." Which
response by the nurse best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A "You have to take it or you'll get sick"
B "Why don't you want to take it?"
C "Tell me more about your concerns with the medication"
D "I'll call the doctor to change it"
Answer: C
Explanation: This open-ended response encourages the client to express concerns and
maintains a therapeutic alliance. "Why" questions can feel accusatory. Telling the client
they "have to" take it is authoritarian and dismissive. Changing the medication without
exploring concerns is premature
2. Which of the following is a nontherapeutic communication technique?
A Clarification
B Restatement
C Giving advice
D Reflection
Answer: C
Explanation: Giving advice is nontherapeutic because it implies the client cannot solve
their own problems and undermines autonomy. Clarification, restatement, and reflection
are all therapeutic techniques that empower the client
, 3. The nurse is working with a client who is silent during a therapy session. The
nurse's best response is:
A "Why aren't you talking?"
B "Silence is not helpful"
C "It seems like you have a lot on your mind"
D "I'll come back later"
Answer: C
Explanation: This response acknowledges the silence without judgment and invites the
client to share if ready. "Why" questions can be threatening. Telling the client silence is not
helpful is critical. Leaving the client may feel like abandonment
4. A client states, "I feel like nobody cares about me." The nurse responds, "You
feel like nobody cares." This is an example of:
A Clarification
B Restatement
C Interpretation
D Confrontation
Answer: B
Explanation: Restatement involves repeating the client's message back to them to show
understanding and encourage exploration. Clarification seeks more information.
Interpretation adds meaning. Confrontation points out inconsistencies
5. The nurse is caring for a client who is crying. Which response is most
therapeutic?
A "Don't cry, it will be okay"
B "Stop crying and tell me what's wrong"
C "I can see you are upset. I'm here with you"
D "You need to pull yourself together"
, Answer: C
Explanation: This response validates the client's emotion and offers presence. Telling a
client not to cry or to pull themselves together dismisses their feelings. Demanding they
stop and explain is not supportive
6. During the working phase of the therapeutic relationship, the nurse's primary
focus is on:
A Establishing trust
B Exploring problems and working toward goals
C Terminating the relationship
D Setting boundaries
Answer: B
Explanation: The working phase involves active exploration of problems, implementation
of interventions, and working toward mutually set goals. Trust and boundaries are
established in the orientation phase. Termination occurs in the final phase
7. A client says to the nurse, "You remind me of my mother." The nurse recognizes
this as:
A Transference
B Countertransference
C Projection
D Displacement
Answer: A
Explanation: Transference is when a client unconsciously projects feelings about significant
others onto the therapist. Countertransference is the therapist's emotional response to the
client. Projection attributes one's own feelings to others. Displacement transfers feelings to
a safer target
, 8. The nurse feels irritable and angry toward a client who reminds them of a
former partner. This is an example of:
A Transference
B Countertransference
C Empathy
D Boundary violation
Answer: B
Explanation: Countertransference occurs when the healthcare provider projects their own
feelings onto the client. This can interfere with therapeutic care and requires self-
awareness and supervision. Transference is the client's projection
9. Which of the following is an example of a boundary violation in the therapeutic
relationship?
A Accepting a small gift from a client
B Engaging in a romantic relationship with a client
C Sharing a client's information with the treatment team
D Setting limits on inappropriate behavior
Answer: B
Explanation: Romantic relationships with clients are serious boundary violations and are
unethical and illegal. Accepting small gifts may be acceptable in some contexts. Sharing
with the treatment team is appropriate. Setting limits is therapeutic
10. The nurse is caring for a client who is flirtatious. The nurse's most appropriate
response is:
A Flirt back to build rapport
B Ignore the behavior
C Address the behavior directly and maintain professional boundaries
D Transfer the client to another nurse
Questions with Correct Answers and
Explanations.
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Relationships
1. A client tells the nurse, "I don't want to take my medication anymore." Which
response by the nurse best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A "You have to take it or you'll get sick"
B "Why don't you want to take it?"
C "Tell me more about your concerns with the medication"
D "I'll call the doctor to change it"
Answer: C
Explanation: This open-ended response encourages the client to express concerns and
maintains a therapeutic alliance. "Why" questions can feel accusatory. Telling the client
they "have to" take it is authoritarian and dismissive. Changing the medication without
exploring concerns is premature
2. Which of the following is a nontherapeutic communication technique?
A Clarification
B Restatement
C Giving advice
D Reflection
Answer: C
Explanation: Giving advice is nontherapeutic because it implies the client cannot solve
their own problems and undermines autonomy. Clarification, restatement, and reflection
are all therapeutic techniques that empower the client
, 3. The nurse is working with a client who is silent during a therapy session. The
nurse's best response is:
A "Why aren't you talking?"
B "Silence is not helpful"
C "It seems like you have a lot on your mind"
D "I'll come back later"
Answer: C
Explanation: This response acknowledges the silence without judgment and invites the
client to share if ready. "Why" questions can be threatening. Telling the client silence is not
helpful is critical. Leaving the client may feel like abandonment
4. A client states, "I feel like nobody cares about me." The nurse responds, "You
feel like nobody cares." This is an example of:
A Clarification
B Restatement
C Interpretation
D Confrontation
Answer: B
Explanation: Restatement involves repeating the client's message back to them to show
understanding and encourage exploration. Clarification seeks more information.
Interpretation adds meaning. Confrontation points out inconsistencies
5. The nurse is caring for a client who is crying. Which response is most
therapeutic?
A "Don't cry, it will be okay"
B "Stop crying and tell me what's wrong"
C "I can see you are upset. I'm here with you"
D "You need to pull yourself together"
, Answer: C
Explanation: This response validates the client's emotion and offers presence. Telling a
client not to cry or to pull themselves together dismisses their feelings. Demanding they
stop and explain is not supportive
6. During the working phase of the therapeutic relationship, the nurse's primary
focus is on:
A Establishing trust
B Exploring problems and working toward goals
C Terminating the relationship
D Setting boundaries
Answer: B
Explanation: The working phase involves active exploration of problems, implementation
of interventions, and working toward mutually set goals. Trust and boundaries are
established in the orientation phase. Termination occurs in the final phase
7. A client says to the nurse, "You remind me of my mother." The nurse recognizes
this as:
A Transference
B Countertransference
C Projection
D Displacement
Answer: A
Explanation: Transference is when a client unconsciously projects feelings about significant
others onto the therapist. Countertransference is the therapist's emotional response to the
client. Projection attributes one's own feelings to others. Displacement transfers feelings to
a safer target
, 8. The nurse feels irritable and angry toward a client who reminds them of a
former partner. This is an example of:
A Transference
B Countertransference
C Empathy
D Boundary violation
Answer: B
Explanation: Countertransference occurs when the healthcare provider projects their own
feelings onto the client. This can interfere with therapeutic care and requires self-
awareness and supervision. Transference is the client's projection
9. Which of the following is an example of a boundary violation in the therapeutic
relationship?
A Accepting a small gift from a client
B Engaging in a romantic relationship with a client
C Sharing a client's information with the treatment team
D Setting limits on inappropriate behavior
Answer: B
Explanation: Romantic relationships with clients are serious boundary violations and are
unethical and illegal. Accepting small gifts may be acceptable in some contexts. Sharing
with the treatment team is appropriate. Setting limits is therapeutic
10. The nurse is caring for a client who is flirtatious. The nurse's most appropriate
response is:
A Flirt back to build rapport
B Ignore the behavior
C Address the behavior directly and maintain professional boundaries
D Transfer the client to another nurse
