NURS 6005 Final – NCLEX-Style EXAM
LATEST 2026-2027 600 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS.
1. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I can go on anymore. Everyone would
be better off without me." Which is the nurse's MOST therapeutic response?
A. "Don't say that. You have so much to live for."
B. "Are you thinking about hurting or killing yourself?"
C. "I know exactly how you feel. I've been there too."
D. "Let's focus on something more positive."
Answer: B. "Are you thinking about hurting or killing yourself?"
Rationale: Direct questioning about suicidal ideation is the most therapeutic and
safe approach. It does NOT plant the idea; rather, it allows the patient to express
feelings and demonstrates that the nurse cares. Options A and D are
dismissive/avoidant. Option C is inappropriate self-disclosure.
2. A patient states, "My husband is always criticizing me." The nurse responds,
"What is it about your husband's criticism that bothers you most?" This
response is an example of:
A. Exploring
B. Clarifying
C. Reflecting
D. Paraphrasing
Answer: B. Clarifying
Rationale: Clarification asks the patient to elaborate or explain further to ensure
mutual understanding. Exploring delves deeper into topics, reflecting redirects the
patient's own words back, and paraphrasing restates in the nurse's own words.
,3. The nurse observes a patient sitting alone, staring out the window. The nurse
approaches and says, "You seem deep in thought." This is an example of:
A. Making an observation
B. Offering general leads
C. Verbalizing the implied
D. Formulating a plan
Answer: A. Making an observation
Rationale: Making an observation involves commenting on what the nurse
perceives. It invites the patient to share their experience without making
assumptions. Offering general leads encourages continuation (e.g., "Go on"), while
verbalizing the implied puts into words what the patient hints at.
4. A patient with anxiety is pacing rapidly and breathing shallowly. The nurse
says, "You seem very agitated right now." This statement is an example of:
A. Validation
B. Confrontation
C. Interpretation
D. Projection
Answer: A. Validation
Rationale: Validation acknowledges and accepts the patient's emotional state
without judgment. It helps the patient feel understood. Confrontation would point
out inconsistencies, and interpretation gives meaning to behaviors.
5. During a group session, a patient angrily accuses another member of being
selfish. The nurse states, "It sounds like you're frustrated that your needs aren't
being met." This is an example of:
,A. Translating feelings into words
B. Encouraging comparison
C. Presenting reality
D. Forming a contract
Answer: A. Translating feelings into words
Rationale: Translating feelings into words helps patients identify and articulate
emotions rather than acting them out. Encouraging comparison would ask the
patient to compare experiences, and presenting reality corrects distortions.
6. Which of the following is an example of a nontherapeutic communication
technique?
A. "Tell me more about how that makes you feel."
B. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
C. "What do you think would be most helpful for you right now?"
D. "I notice you're clenching your fists. What's going on?"
Answer: B. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Rationale: False reassurance is nontherapeutic because it dismisses the patient's
feelings and offers empty promises. It blocks communication and invalidates the
patient's experience.
7. A patient says, "I'm just a terrible mother. I can't do anything right." The nurse
responds, "You've told me about several times when you've been a caring and
attentive mother." This response uses:
A. Reframing
B. Confrontation
C. Giving recognition
D. Presenting reality
Answer: A. Reframing
, Rationale: Reframing helps the patient view situations from a different, more
balanced perspective by pointing out positive examples that the patient has
discounted. Confrontation would point out inconsistencies in behavior.
8. The nurse maintains silence during a patient interaction. What is the
therapeutic purpose of this technique?
A. To punish the patient for not talking
B. To allow the patient time to organize thoughts
C. To avoid uncomfortable topics
D. To test the patient's ability to initiate conversation
Answer: B. To allow the patient time to organize thoughts
Rationale: Therapeutic silence gives patients space to process emotions and
formulate thoughts. It conveys acceptance and patience, not punishment or
avoidance.
9. A patient says, "The nurse on the night shift was mean to me." The nurse
responds, "You feel the night nurse was unkind to you?" This is an example of:
A. Restating
B. Reflection
C. Seeking clarification
D. Paraphrasing
Answer: B. Reflection
Rationale: Reflection redirects the patient's statement back to the patient to
acknowledge the feeling ("You feel..."). Restating repeats the exact words, and
paraphrasing restates in different words.
10. A patient asks the nurse, "Do you think I'm going crazy?" The nurse's BEST
response is:
LATEST 2026-2027 600 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS.
1. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I can go on anymore. Everyone would
be better off without me." Which is the nurse's MOST therapeutic response?
A. "Don't say that. You have so much to live for."
B. "Are you thinking about hurting or killing yourself?"
C. "I know exactly how you feel. I've been there too."
D. "Let's focus on something more positive."
Answer: B. "Are you thinking about hurting or killing yourself?"
Rationale: Direct questioning about suicidal ideation is the most therapeutic and
safe approach. It does NOT plant the idea; rather, it allows the patient to express
feelings and demonstrates that the nurse cares. Options A and D are
dismissive/avoidant. Option C is inappropriate self-disclosure.
2. A patient states, "My husband is always criticizing me." The nurse responds,
"What is it about your husband's criticism that bothers you most?" This
response is an example of:
A. Exploring
B. Clarifying
C. Reflecting
D. Paraphrasing
Answer: B. Clarifying
Rationale: Clarification asks the patient to elaborate or explain further to ensure
mutual understanding. Exploring delves deeper into topics, reflecting redirects the
patient's own words back, and paraphrasing restates in the nurse's own words.
,3. The nurse observes a patient sitting alone, staring out the window. The nurse
approaches and says, "You seem deep in thought." This is an example of:
A. Making an observation
B. Offering general leads
C. Verbalizing the implied
D. Formulating a plan
Answer: A. Making an observation
Rationale: Making an observation involves commenting on what the nurse
perceives. It invites the patient to share their experience without making
assumptions. Offering general leads encourages continuation (e.g., "Go on"), while
verbalizing the implied puts into words what the patient hints at.
4. A patient with anxiety is pacing rapidly and breathing shallowly. The nurse
says, "You seem very agitated right now." This statement is an example of:
A. Validation
B. Confrontation
C. Interpretation
D. Projection
Answer: A. Validation
Rationale: Validation acknowledges and accepts the patient's emotional state
without judgment. It helps the patient feel understood. Confrontation would point
out inconsistencies, and interpretation gives meaning to behaviors.
5. During a group session, a patient angrily accuses another member of being
selfish. The nurse states, "It sounds like you're frustrated that your needs aren't
being met." This is an example of:
,A. Translating feelings into words
B. Encouraging comparison
C. Presenting reality
D. Forming a contract
Answer: A. Translating feelings into words
Rationale: Translating feelings into words helps patients identify and articulate
emotions rather than acting them out. Encouraging comparison would ask the
patient to compare experiences, and presenting reality corrects distortions.
6. Which of the following is an example of a nontherapeutic communication
technique?
A. "Tell me more about how that makes you feel."
B. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
C. "What do you think would be most helpful for you right now?"
D. "I notice you're clenching your fists. What's going on?"
Answer: B. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Rationale: False reassurance is nontherapeutic because it dismisses the patient's
feelings and offers empty promises. It blocks communication and invalidates the
patient's experience.
7. A patient says, "I'm just a terrible mother. I can't do anything right." The nurse
responds, "You've told me about several times when you've been a caring and
attentive mother." This response uses:
A. Reframing
B. Confrontation
C. Giving recognition
D. Presenting reality
Answer: A. Reframing
, Rationale: Reframing helps the patient view situations from a different, more
balanced perspective by pointing out positive examples that the patient has
discounted. Confrontation would point out inconsistencies in behavior.
8. The nurse maintains silence during a patient interaction. What is the
therapeutic purpose of this technique?
A. To punish the patient for not talking
B. To allow the patient time to organize thoughts
C. To avoid uncomfortable topics
D. To test the patient's ability to initiate conversation
Answer: B. To allow the patient time to organize thoughts
Rationale: Therapeutic silence gives patients space to process emotions and
formulate thoughts. It conveys acceptance and patience, not punishment or
avoidance.
9. A patient says, "The nurse on the night shift was mean to me." The nurse
responds, "You feel the night nurse was unkind to you?" This is an example of:
A. Restating
B. Reflection
C. Seeking clarification
D. Paraphrasing
Answer: B. Reflection
Rationale: Reflection redirects the patient's statement back to the patient to
acknowledge the feeling ("You feel..."). Restating repeats the exact words, and
paraphrasing restates in different words.
10. A patient asks the nurse, "Do you think I'm going crazy?" The nurse's BEST
response is:
