NUR 120 - MED/SURG (NCLEX STYLE QUESTIONS) Questions
with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: The nurse is caring for an older adult client in a long-term care facility. Which behavior by
the nurse conveys physical attending when communicating with this client?
A) Facilitating and taking action when needed
B) Maintaining a proper social distance when speaking with the client
C) Leaning toward the client during conversation
D) Being concrete about actions that need to be taken during client care **P - 38**
Answer: C (Leaning toward the client during conversation)
Question 2: A nurse educator is teaching a group of students about therapeutic touch. In which
situation is it appropriate to use therapeutic touch as a means of communication?
A) When a client's family member is making inappropriate comments to the nurse
B) When an upset spouse is alone and the client has just expired
C) When speaking to a client with a history of physical abuse
D) When a young male client asks a young student nurse for a hug **P - 38**
Answer: B (When an upset spouse is alone and the client has just expired)
Question 3: The nurse completes a teaching session on wound care for a client who will require dressing
changes after discharge. The nurse then evaluates the effectiveness of the teaching session and
determines that more education is required. Which statement by the nurse is appropriate in this
situation?
A) "Let me clarify again some of the steps that are required during wound care."
B) "You didn't pay attention, did you?"
C) "Here, let me do it for you."
D) "I don't think you understood me correctly the first time." **P - 38**
Answer: A ("Let me clarify again some of the steps that are required during wound care.")
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client with cancer who is struggling with chronic pain. The nurse
tells the client, "It is normal to feel frustrated about the discomfort." Which skill associated with the
working phase of the nurse-client relationship does the nurse's statement best reflect?
A) Confronting
B) Respect
C) Concreteness
D) Genuineness **P-38**
Answer: B (Respect)
Page 1
,Question 5: A novice nurse is working with a client who is admitted to a medical-surgical unit. The
nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with the client by conveying empathy. Which statement
by the nurse best exemplifies empathy?
A) "I wouldn't be afraid if I were you."
B) "You shouldn't have done it that way."
C) "You seem to be frightened by the procedure. Tell me how you are feeling."
D) "I know just how you feel, because my mother has the same illness." **P-38**
Answer: C ("You seem to be frightened by the procedure. Tell me how you are feeling.")
Question 6: The nurse is caring for a school-age client who is scheduled to have major heart surgery the
next morning. The nurse enters the room to administer a medication and finds the client crying. Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) "Would you like some toys from the playroom?"
B) "I'm going to go get the doctor."
C) "You shouldn't cry. You are not in pain."
D) "It is okay to cry. I know this is scary." **P-38**
Answer: D ("It is okay to cry. I know this is scary.")
Question 7: The nurse is providing care for a client who is newly diagnosed with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). In this scenario, which action by the nurse would be considered an
example of therapeutic communication?
A) The nurse asks appropriate questions about the client's medical history.
B) The nurse closes the conversation with an anecdote about breathing.
C) The nurse plans to tell the client about a COPD support group.
D) The nurse bonds with the client by describing her own experiences living with COPD. **P-38**
Answer: A (The nurse asks appropriate questions about the client's medical history)
Question 8: The nurse is providing care to a client who is newly diagnosed with human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Which statements by the nurse could inhibit the development of
therapeutic communication with this client? (Select all that apply)
A) "I am so happy today! I just found out that I got accepted into nurse practitioner school!"
B) "Well, I guess your lifestyle finally caught up to you."
C) "One of my cousins has AIDS. It is hard to watch him die."
D) "Tell me your feelings about the diagnosis."
E) "Would you like to talk about the new medications you've been prescribed?" **P-38**
Answer: A, B, & C ("I am so happy today! I just found out that I got accepted into nurse practitioner
school!") ("Well, I guess your lifestyle finally caught up to you.") ("One of my cousins has AIDS. It is hard
to watch him die.")
Page 2
,Question 9: The nurse is providing care to a client who is diagnosed with hypertension. Which response
by the nurse is an appropriate example of informational confrontation with the client?
A) "I noticed you rubbing your head and your eyes. Are you hurting? Let's take your blood pressure."
B) "I heard raised voices when I was coming down the hall to your room. Are you upset?"
C) "It is 3 p.m. and time to take your blood pressure before I give you your medication."
D) "Is the blood pressure medication making your head hurt?" **P-38**
Answer: A ("I noticed you rubbing your head and your eyes. Are you hurting? Let's take your blood
pressure.")
Question 10: What is the first phase in the therapeutic nurse-client relationship?
A) Introductory phase
B) Working phase
C) Preinteraction phase
D) Anticipatory phase **P-38**
Answer: C (Preinteraction phase)
Question 11: Which of the following statements by the nurse is an example of the therapeutic
communication technique of offering self?
A) "Would you like to talk with me about your emotions right now?"
B) "I'm not sure I understand. Please tell me more about the situation."
C) "I don't know the answer to your question, but I will check with the physician."
D) "I'll stay here with you until your family arrives." **P-38**
Answer: D ("I'll stay here with you until your family arrives.")
Question 12: A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who experienced a myocardial infarction. The
client will have to make many lifestyle changes, and the nurse is providing instruction on how to
implement a heart-healthy lifestyle. Which is the best description of the client education the nurse is
presenting to this client?
A) Dependent function of nursing that needs a healthcare provider's order to implement
B) Important independent nursing function
C) Activity nurses begin to learn after training on the job
D) Way to establish the client's dependence on the nurse **P-41**
Answer: B (Important independent nursing function)
Page 3
, Question 13: The nurse is caring for an adult client who has been diagnosed with high cholesterol.
Which is important for the nurse to consider when teaching this adult client?
A) Adults are more oriented to learning when the material is useful immediately.
B) Adults are more likely to adhere to a regimen than are children.
C) Adults usually can find information on their own.
D) Adults do not need to be evaluated for understanding as children do. **P-41**
Answer: A (Adults are more oriented to learning when the material is useful immediately)
Question 14: A nurse is working in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The nurse wants to teach a
mother of a premature baby how to give her baby a bath. Which statement by the mother reflects a
readiness to learn?
A) "You'll give us written instructions before we go home, correct?"
B) "When my baby is just a little bigger, I'll feel more comfortable giving him a bath."
C) "I want to make sure my husband is here, in case I don't hear everything that's said."
D) "I'm so afraid I'll hurt my baby with all these tubes and wires." **P-41**
Answer: C ("I want to make sure my husband is here, in case I don't hear everything that's said.")
Question 15: A nurse is caring for a group of clients who are recovering in a rehabilitation hospital
following total hip replacements. Which client is exhibiting the highest motivation to learn?
A) A client who has been there the longest and is a great "coach" for newcomers
B) A client who has been struggling with following nursing directives regarding discharge goals
C) A client who is excited to learn ambulation techniques
D) The client who has just moved in and is already eager for discharge **P-41**
Answer: C (A client who is excited to learn ambulation techniques)
Question 16: The nurse educator is preparing to teach a group of nursing students how to navigate the
internet to research healthcare information. Which does the educator plan to include during lecture?
A) A directory of campus internet sites of interest
B) How to search for and evaluate health information
C) A directory of libraries
D) Information technology instruction **P-41**
Answer: B (How to search for and evaluate health information)
Question 17: The nurse provides medication teaching for a client who will be going home on new
medications. Which statement by the client best illustrates compliance with the medication plan?
A) "I think you should have waited until I was ready to go home. Maybe I'd remember better."
B) "I'm glad to know about my new medications. It makes taking them all a lot easier."
C) "If I take my medications as prescribed, I'll feel better."
D) "I already knew most of what you told me." **P-41**
Answer: B ("I'm glad to know about my new medications. It makes taking them all a lot easier.")
Page 4
with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: The nurse is caring for an older adult client in a long-term care facility. Which behavior by
the nurse conveys physical attending when communicating with this client?
A) Facilitating and taking action when needed
B) Maintaining a proper social distance when speaking with the client
C) Leaning toward the client during conversation
D) Being concrete about actions that need to be taken during client care **P - 38**
Answer: C (Leaning toward the client during conversation)
Question 2: A nurse educator is teaching a group of students about therapeutic touch. In which
situation is it appropriate to use therapeutic touch as a means of communication?
A) When a client's family member is making inappropriate comments to the nurse
B) When an upset spouse is alone and the client has just expired
C) When speaking to a client with a history of physical abuse
D) When a young male client asks a young student nurse for a hug **P - 38**
Answer: B (When an upset spouse is alone and the client has just expired)
Question 3: The nurse completes a teaching session on wound care for a client who will require dressing
changes after discharge. The nurse then evaluates the effectiveness of the teaching session and
determines that more education is required. Which statement by the nurse is appropriate in this
situation?
A) "Let me clarify again some of the steps that are required during wound care."
B) "You didn't pay attention, did you?"
C) "Here, let me do it for you."
D) "I don't think you understood me correctly the first time." **P - 38**
Answer: A ("Let me clarify again some of the steps that are required during wound care.")
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client with cancer who is struggling with chronic pain. The nurse
tells the client, "It is normal to feel frustrated about the discomfort." Which skill associated with the
working phase of the nurse-client relationship does the nurse's statement best reflect?
A) Confronting
B) Respect
C) Concreteness
D) Genuineness **P-38**
Answer: B (Respect)
Page 1
,Question 5: A novice nurse is working with a client who is admitted to a medical-surgical unit. The
nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with the client by conveying empathy. Which statement
by the nurse best exemplifies empathy?
A) "I wouldn't be afraid if I were you."
B) "You shouldn't have done it that way."
C) "You seem to be frightened by the procedure. Tell me how you are feeling."
D) "I know just how you feel, because my mother has the same illness." **P-38**
Answer: C ("You seem to be frightened by the procedure. Tell me how you are feeling.")
Question 6: The nurse is caring for a school-age client who is scheduled to have major heart surgery the
next morning. The nurse enters the room to administer a medication and finds the client crying. Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) "Would you like some toys from the playroom?"
B) "I'm going to go get the doctor."
C) "You shouldn't cry. You are not in pain."
D) "It is okay to cry. I know this is scary." **P-38**
Answer: D ("It is okay to cry. I know this is scary.")
Question 7: The nurse is providing care for a client who is newly diagnosed with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). In this scenario, which action by the nurse would be considered an
example of therapeutic communication?
A) The nurse asks appropriate questions about the client's medical history.
B) The nurse closes the conversation with an anecdote about breathing.
C) The nurse plans to tell the client about a COPD support group.
D) The nurse bonds with the client by describing her own experiences living with COPD. **P-38**
Answer: A (The nurse asks appropriate questions about the client's medical history)
Question 8: The nurse is providing care to a client who is newly diagnosed with human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Which statements by the nurse could inhibit the development of
therapeutic communication with this client? (Select all that apply)
A) "I am so happy today! I just found out that I got accepted into nurse practitioner school!"
B) "Well, I guess your lifestyle finally caught up to you."
C) "One of my cousins has AIDS. It is hard to watch him die."
D) "Tell me your feelings about the diagnosis."
E) "Would you like to talk about the new medications you've been prescribed?" **P-38**
Answer: A, B, & C ("I am so happy today! I just found out that I got accepted into nurse practitioner
school!") ("Well, I guess your lifestyle finally caught up to you.") ("One of my cousins has AIDS. It is hard
to watch him die.")
Page 2
,Question 9: The nurse is providing care to a client who is diagnosed with hypertension. Which response
by the nurse is an appropriate example of informational confrontation with the client?
A) "I noticed you rubbing your head and your eyes. Are you hurting? Let's take your blood pressure."
B) "I heard raised voices when I was coming down the hall to your room. Are you upset?"
C) "It is 3 p.m. and time to take your blood pressure before I give you your medication."
D) "Is the blood pressure medication making your head hurt?" **P-38**
Answer: A ("I noticed you rubbing your head and your eyes. Are you hurting? Let's take your blood
pressure.")
Question 10: What is the first phase in the therapeutic nurse-client relationship?
A) Introductory phase
B) Working phase
C) Preinteraction phase
D) Anticipatory phase **P-38**
Answer: C (Preinteraction phase)
Question 11: Which of the following statements by the nurse is an example of the therapeutic
communication technique of offering self?
A) "Would you like to talk with me about your emotions right now?"
B) "I'm not sure I understand. Please tell me more about the situation."
C) "I don't know the answer to your question, but I will check with the physician."
D) "I'll stay here with you until your family arrives." **P-38**
Answer: D ("I'll stay here with you until your family arrives.")
Question 12: A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who experienced a myocardial infarction. The
client will have to make many lifestyle changes, and the nurse is providing instruction on how to
implement a heart-healthy lifestyle. Which is the best description of the client education the nurse is
presenting to this client?
A) Dependent function of nursing that needs a healthcare provider's order to implement
B) Important independent nursing function
C) Activity nurses begin to learn after training on the job
D) Way to establish the client's dependence on the nurse **P-41**
Answer: B (Important independent nursing function)
Page 3
, Question 13: The nurse is caring for an adult client who has been diagnosed with high cholesterol.
Which is important for the nurse to consider when teaching this adult client?
A) Adults are more oriented to learning when the material is useful immediately.
B) Adults are more likely to adhere to a regimen than are children.
C) Adults usually can find information on their own.
D) Adults do not need to be evaluated for understanding as children do. **P-41**
Answer: A (Adults are more oriented to learning when the material is useful immediately)
Question 14: A nurse is working in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The nurse wants to teach a
mother of a premature baby how to give her baby a bath. Which statement by the mother reflects a
readiness to learn?
A) "You'll give us written instructions before we go home, correct?"
B) "When my baby is just a little bigger, I'll feel more comfortable giving him a bath."
C) "I want to make sure my husband is here, in case I don't hear everything that's said."
D) "I'm so afraid I'll hurt my baby with all these tubes and wires." **P-41**
Answer: C ("I want to make sure my husband is here, in case I don't hear everything that's said.")
Question 15: A nurse is caring for a group of clients who are recovering in a rehabilitation hospital
following total hip replacements. Which client is exhibiting the highest motivation to learn?
A) A client who has been there the longest and is a great "coach" for newcomers
B) A client who has been struggling with following nursing directives regarding discharge goals
C) A client who is excited to learn ambulation techniques
D) The client who has just moved in and is already eager for discharge **P-41**
Answer: C (A client who is excited to learn ambulation techniques)
Question 16: The nurse educator is preparing to teach a group of nursing students how to navigate the
internet to research healthcare information. Which does the educator plan to include during lecture?
A) A directory of campus internet sites of interest
B) How to search for and evaluate health information
C) A directory of libraries
D) Information technology instruction **P-41**
Answer: B (How to search for and evaluate health information)
Question 17: The nurse provides medication teaching for a client who will be going home on new
medications. Which statement by the client best illustrates compliance with the medication plan?
A) "I think you should have waited until I was ready to go home. Maybe I'd remember better."
B) "I'm glad to know about my new medications. It makes taking them all a lot easier."
C) "If I take my medications as prescribed, I'll feel better."
D) "I already knew most of what you told me." **P-41**
Answer: B ("I'm glad to know about my new medications. It makes taking them all a lot easier.")
Page 4
