ATI Mental Health: Therapeutic Communication and Nurse-Patient
Relationship Exam 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is talking with a client who is stressed about their job. Which of the
following statements by the nurse is an example of ‘offering self’?
A. Tell me more about what happens at your work.
B. Why does your job make you feel so stressed?
C. You should consider looking for a new position.
D. I will stay here with you for a while.
Answer: D
Rationale: Offering self makes the nurse available to the client, showing interest and a
desire to understand without making demands.
2. During the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship, which of the
following is a primary task?
A. Promote the client’s problem-solving skills.
B. Evaluate the client’s progress toward goals.
C. Establish the parameters of the relationship.
D. Practice new coping behaviors.
Answer: C
Rationale: The orientation phase involves introducing oneself, establishing the contract,
setting boundaries, and defining expectations.
,3. A nurse says to a client, ‘You seem to be feeling angry today.’ Which
therapeutic communication technique is the nurse using?
A. Summarizing
B. Making observations
C. Reflecting
D. Restating
Answer: B
Rationale: Making observations involves verbalizing what the nurse perceives, which
helps the client recognize their own behaviors or feelings.
4. Which of the following describes the phenomenon of transference?
A. The client views the nurse as having characteristics of another person from their past.
B. The nurse develops feelings for the client based on a past relationship.
C. The nurse and client work together to solve problems.
D. The client refuses to speak during the session.
Answer: A
Rationale: Transference occurs when a client displaces emotions or characteristics from a
person in their past onto the nurse.
5. A client states, ‘I don’t think I can handle my kids anymore.’ The nurse
responds, ‘You feel overwhelmed by your parenting responsibilities?’ This is an
example of:
A. Probing
B. Giving advice
C. Exploring
D. Paraphrasing
Answer: D
Rationale: Paraphrasing restates the client’s feelings and thoughts in different words to
confirm the nurse’s understanding.
, 6. Which action by the nurse indicates a breach of professional boundaries?
A. Declining a client’s invitation to a private party.
B. Accepting a small handmade card from a client.
C. Consistently staying late to spend more time with one specific client.
D. Discussing the treatment plan during the working phase.
Answer: C
Rationale: Spending excessive time with one client or showing favoritism is a sign of
countertransference or blurred boundaries.
7. A nurse is in the working phase of the relationship. Which of the following
should the nurse expect to occur?
A. The client will examine their own defense mechanisms.
B. The nurse will clarify the time and place of meetings.
C. The client will express anxiety about the end of the relationship.
D. The client will identify their needs and goals.
Answer: A
Rationale: The working phase involves the client examining their problems, developing
coping skills, and working through defense mechanisms.
8. The nurse asks, ‘And then what happened?’ to a client telling a story. This is
an example of:
A. Focusing
B. General leads
C. Reflecting
D. Presenting reality
Answer: B
Rationale: General leads encourage the client to continue talking and indicate that the
nurse is listening.
Relationship Exam 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is talking with a client who is stressed about their job. Which of the
following statements by the nurse is an example of ‘offering self’?
A. Tell me more about what happens at your work.
B. Why does your job make you feel so stressed?
C. You should consider looking for a new position.
D. I will stay here with you for a while.
Answer: D
Rationale: Offering self makes the nurse available to the client, showing interest and a
desire to understand without making demands.
2. During the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship, which of the
following is a primary task?
A. Promote the client’s problem-solving skills.
B. Evaluate the client’s progress toward goals.
C. Establish the parameters of the relationship.
D. Practice new coping behaviors.
Answer: C
Rationale: The orientation phase involves introducing oneself, establishing the contract,
setting boundaries, and defining expectations.
,3. A nurse says to a client, ‘You seem to be feeling angry today.’ Which
therapeutic communication technique is the nurse using?
A. Summarizing
B. Making observations
C. Reflecting
D. Restating
Answer: B
Rationale: Making observations involves verbalizing what the nurse perceives, which
helps the client recognize their own behaviors or feelings.
4. Which of the following describes the phenomenon of transference?
A. The client views the nurse as having characteristics of another person from their past.
B. The nurse develops feelings for the client based on a past relationship.
C. The nurse and client work together to solve problems.
D. The client refuses to speak during the session.
Answer: A
Rationale: Transference occurs when a client displaces emotions or characteristics from a
person in their past onto the nurse.
5. A client states, ‘I don’t think I can handle my kids anymore.’ The nurse
responds, ‘You feel overwhelmed by your parenting responsibilities?’ This is an
example of:
A. Probing
B. Giving advice
C. Exploring
D. Paraphrasing
Answer: D
Rationale: Paraphrasing restates the client’s feelings and thoughts in different words to
confirm the nurse’s understanding.
, 6. Which action by the nurse indicates a breach of professional boundaries?
A. Declining a client’s invitation to a private party.
B. Accepting a small handmade card from a client.
C. Consistently staying late to spend more time with one specific client.
D. Discussing the treatment plan during the working phase.
Answer: C
Rationale: Spending excessive time with one client or showing favoritism is a sign of
countertransference or blurred boundaries.
7. A nurse is in the working phase of the relationship. Which of the following
should the nurse expect to occur?
A. The client will examine their own defense mechanisms.
B. The nurse will clarify the time and place of meetings.
C. The client will express anxiety about the end of the relationship.
D. The client will identify their needs and goals.
Answer: A
Rationale: The working phase involves the client examining their problems, developing
coping skills, and working through defense mechanisms.
8. The nurse asks, ‘And then what happened?’ to a client telling a story. This is
an example of:
A. Focusing
B. General leads
C. Reflecting
D. Presenting reality
Answer: B
Rationale: General leads encourage the client to continue talking and indicate that the
nurse is listening.
