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NSG 526 EXAM 2 /NSG 526 EXAM 2 THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES EXAM
2026/2027 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE
ACCURATE EXAM APPROVED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing severe anxiety who is pacing rapidly,
speaking in short phrases, and having difficulty processing information. The client
repeatedly asks the same question despite receiving an explanation. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate at this time?
A. Ask the client to describe the underlying childhood experiences contributing to
the anxiety
B. Provide lengthy education about anxiety-management techniques
C. Remain with the client, use short simple statements, and reduce environmental
stimulation
D. Encourage the client to make several important decisions independently
Answer: C
2. During a therapeutic interaction, a client states, “Nobody at this hospital really
cares about me. Everyone just wants to get rid of me.” Which response by the
nurse best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. “It sounds like you feel that the people caring for you are not concerned about
your needs.”
B. “You should not think that way because the staff is working hard to help you.”
C. “Why do you believe that everyone wants to get rid of you?”
D. “You need to give the staff a chance before making that judgment.”
Answer: A
3. A client with major depressive symptoms tells the nurse, “I don't think anything
will ever get better.” Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
A. “You need to focus on the positive things happening in your life.”
B. “What makes you think things will never improve?”
C. “Everyone feels hopeless sometimes, so try not to worry.”
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D. “You are feeling hopeless right now, and we can talk about what is contributing
to that feeling.”
Answer: D
4. A client receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy says, “I made one mistake at
work, so I know I'm completely incompetent.” Which cognitive distortion is most
clearly demonstrated by this statement?
A. Projection
B. Overgeneralization
C. Displacement
D. Sublimation
Answer: B
5. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a newly admitted client.
During the orientation phase, which nursing behavior is most important?
A. Establishing trust, identifying problems, and defining the purpose of the
relationship
B. Encouraging the client to become completely independent of the nurse
C. Reviewing whether the client has met all treatment goals
D. Terminating the relationship and transferring care to another professional
Answer: A
6. A client participating in group therapy becomes increasingly agitated after
another member challenges the client's opinion. What should the nurse do first?
A. Ask the group to vote on whether the client's opinion is appropriate
B. Immediately remove the client from the group without discussion
C. Assess the client's level of agitation and maintain a safe therapeutic
environment
D. Tell the client that disagreement is an expected part of group therapy
Answer: C
7. A client with anxiety asks the nurse to remain at the bedside continuously
because the client believes something terrible will happen if left alone. Which
, 3
intervention best promotes therapeutic progress?
A. Promise the client that the nurse will never leave
B. Gradually encourage coping strategies while maintaining appropriate
therapeutic availability
C. Avoid responding to the request so the client learns independence
D. Assign another client to provide emotional support
Answer: B
8. A nurse is using motivational interviewing with a client who is ambivalent about
stopping tobacco use. Which statement best reflects motivational interviewing?
A. “You need to stop smoking immediately because it is dangerous.”
B. “I will give you a schedule that you must follow to quit.”
C. “What do you think would be different in your life if you decided to stop
smoking?”
D. “There is no reason to continue discussing whether smoking is harmful.”
Answer: C
9. A client says, “My medication isn't working because I still feel anxious.” Which
nursing response best demonstrates clarification?
A. “Can you tell me more about what you mean when you say the medication isn't
working?”
B. “The medication usually works, so you should continue taking it.”
C. “Your anxiety is probably caused by your environment.”
D. “You need to wait several weeks before making that conclusion.”
Answer: A
10. A client experiencing a panic attack reports intense fear, chest tightness,
trembling, and a feeling of impending death. Which nursing action should take
priority?
A. Teach detailed relaxation theory
B. Encourage the client to analyze the source of the panic
C. Ask the client to describe previous panic attacks
D. Stay with the client and provide calm, brief, reassuring communication
NSG 526 EXAM 2 /NSG 526 EXAM 2 THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES EXAM
2026/2027 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE
ACCURATE EXAM APPROVED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing severe anxiety who is pacing rapidly,
speaking in short phrases, and having difficulty processing information. The client
repeatedly asks the same question despite receiving an explanation. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate at this time?
A. Ask the client to describe the underlying childhood experiences contributing to
the anxiety
B. Provide lengthy education about anxiety-management techniques
C. Remain with the client, use short simple statements, and reduce environmental
stimulation
D. Encourage the client to make several important decisions independently
Answer: C
2. During a therapeutic interaction, a client states, “Nobody at this hospital really
cares about me. Everyone just wants to get rid of me.” Which response by the
nurse best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. “It sounds like you feel that the people caring for you are not concerned about
your needs.”
B. “You should not think that way because the staff is working hard to help you.”
C. “Why do you believe that everyone wants to get rid of you?”
D. “You need to give the staff a chance before making that judgment.”
Answer: A
3. A client with major depressive symptoms tells the nurse, “I don't think anything
will ever get better.” Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
A. “You need to focus on the positive things happening in your life.”
B. “What makes you think things will never improve?”
C. “Everyone feels hopeless sometimes, so try not to worry.”
,2
D. “You are feeling hopeless right now, and we can talk about what is contributing
to that feeling.”
Answer: D
4. A client receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy says, “I made one mistake at
work, so I know I'm completely incompetent.” Which cognitive distortion is most
clearly demonstrated by this statement?
A. Projection
B. Overgeneralization
C. Displacement
D. Sublimation
Answer: B
5. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a newly admitted client.
During the orientation phase, which nursing behavior is most important?
A. Establishing trust, identifying problems, and defining the purpose of the
relationship
B. Encouraging the client to become completely independent of the nurse
C. Reviewing whether the client has met all treatment goals
D. Terminating the relationship and transferring care to another professional
Answer: A
6. A client participating in group therapy becomes increasingly agitated after
another member challenges the client's opinion. What should the nurse do first?
A. Ask the group to vote on whether the client's opinion is appropriate
B. Immediately remove the client from the group without discussion
C. Assess the client's level of agitation and maintain a safe therapeutic
environment
D. Tell the client that disagreement is an expected part of group therapy
Answer: C
7. A client with anxiety asks the nurse to remain at the bedside continuously
because the client believes something terrible will happen if left alone. Which
, 3
intervention best promotes therapeutic progress?
A. Promise the client that the nurse will never leave
B. Gradually encourage coping strategies while maintaining appropriate
therapeutic availability
C. Avoid responding to the request so the client learns independence
D. Assign another client to provide emotional support
Answer: B
8. A nurse is using motivational interviewing with a client who is ambivalent about
stopping tobacco use. Which statement best reflects motivational interviewing?
A. “You need to stop smoking immediately because it is dangerous.”
B. “I will give you a schedule that you must follow to quit.”
C. “What do you think would be different in your life if you decided to stop
smoking?”
D. “There is no reason to continue discussing whether smoking is harmful.”
Answer: C
9. A client says, “My medication isn't working because I still feel anxious.” Which
nursing response best demonstrates clarification?
A. “Can you tell me more about what you mean when you say the medication isn't
working?”
B. “The medication usually works, so you should continue taking it.”
C. “Your anxiety is probably caused by your environment.”
D. “You need to wait several weeks before making that conclusion.”
Answer: A
10. A client experiencing a panic attack reports intense fear, chest tightness,
trembling, and a feeling of impending death. Which nursing action should take
priority?
A. Teach detailed relaxation theory
B. Encourage the client to analyze the source of the panic
C. Ask the client to describe previous panic attacks
D. Stay with the client and provide calm, brief, reassuring communication
