,NSG 3180 Communication and
Teamwork Exam Prep — Comprehensive
Review + Practice MCQs — Galen
College of Nursing 2025/2026
1. A nurse is meeting a patient for the first time and states, "My name is Sarah, and I will be your nurse today."
This interaction occurs in which phase of the helping relationship?
A. Pre-interaction
B. Orientation
C. Working
D. Termination
Correct Answer: B. Orientation
Rationale: The orientation phase is the introductory period where the nurse and patient establish trust, set
expectations, and define the parameters of their professional relationship. During this phase, the nurse
introduces themselves and explains their role. The pre-interaction phase occurs before meeting the patient,
the working phase involves active problem-solving, and the termination phase involves ending the relationship
.
2. During the termination phase of the nurse-patient relationship, the nurse should:
A. Abruptly end the relationship without discussion
B. Summarize progress, discuss feelings about ending, and reinforce coping strategies
C. Introduce new problems to continue the relationship
D. Increase the patient's dependence on the nurse
,Correct Answer: B. Summarize progress, discuss feelings about ending, and reinforce coping strategies
Rationale: The termination phase is a planned and therapeutic process where the nurse summarizes the
patient's achievements, allows expression of feelings about the relationship's end, and ensures the patient has
resources and coping strategies for the future. Abruptly ending the relationship or fostering dependence is
harmful and nontherapeutic .
3. A patient states, "I am afraid of the surgery tomorrow." The nurse responds, "You are feeling afraid about
your surgery." This response is an example of which therapeutic communication technique?
A. Clarifying
B. Restating
C. Summarizing
D. Focusing
Correct Answer: B. Restating
Rationale: Restating (or paraphrasing) involves repeating the patient's message in the nurse's own words to
confirm understanding. It demonstrates active listening and encourages the patient to elaborate on their
feelings. Clarifying seeks to understand vague statements, summarizing reviews main points, and focusing
narrows the conversation to a specific topic .
4. A nurse is speaking with a patient who appears anxious. Which statement demonstrates the therapeutic
technique of reflecting?
A. "Tell me more about your chest pain."
B. "You seem worried. Is that what you're feeling?"
C. "I think you should talk to the doctor."
, D. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Correct Answer: B. "You seem worried. Is that what you're feeling?"
Rationale: Reflection helps patients recognize and explore their own emotions. By observing and verbalizing
the patient's apparent emotional state, the nurse validates their feelings and encourages further discussion.
"Tell me more..." is exploring, advising is nontherapeutic, and false reassurance dismisses the patient's
feelings .
5. A nurse says, "What happened after you felt the dizziness?" Which therapeutic communication technique is
this?
A. General lead
B. Restating
C. Focusing
D. Clarifying
Correct Answer: C. Focusing
Rationale: Focusing is used to narrow the conversation to a specific topic or event. The nurse is directing the
patient to discuss a particular detail about their symptom. A general lead would be a neutral statement like
"Go on..." to encourage the patient to continue speaking .
6. Which of the following is a non-therapeutic communication technique?
A. Silence
B. Restating
Teamwork Exam Prep — Comprehensive
Review + Practice MCQs — Galen
College of Nursing 2025/2026
1. A nurse is meeting a patient for the first time and states, "My name is Sarah, and I will be your nurse today."
This interaction occurs in which phase of the helping relationship?
A. Pre-interaction
B. Orientation
C. Working
D. Termination
Correct Answer: B. Orientation
Rationale: The orientation phase is the introductory period where the nurse and patient establish trust, set
expectations, and define the parameters of their professional relationship. During this phase, the nurse
introduces themselves and explains their role. The pre-interaction phase occurs before meeting the patient,
the working phase involves active problem-solving, and the termination phase involves ending the relationship
.
2. During the termination phase of the nurse-patient relationship, the nurse should:
A. Abruptly end the relationship without discussion
B. Summarize progress, discuss feelings about ending, and reinforce coping strategies
C. Introduce new problems to continue the relationship
D. Increase the patient's dependence on the nurse
,Correct Answer: B. Summarize progress, discuss feelings about ending, and reinforce coping strategies
Rationale: The termination phase is a planned and therapeutic process where the nurse summarizes the
patient's achievements, allows expression of feelings about the relationship's end, and ensures the patient has
resources and coping strategies for the future. Abruptly ending the relationship or fostering dependence is
harmful and nontherapeutic .
3. A patient states, "I am afraid of the surgery tomorrow." The nurse responds, "You are feeling afraid about
your surgery." This response is an example of which therapeutic communication technique?
A. Clarifying
B. Restating
C. Summarizing
D. Focusing
Correct Answer: B. Restating
Rationale: Restating (or paraphrasing) involves repeating the patient's message in the nurse's own words to
confirm understanding. It demonstrates active listening and encourages the patient to elaborate on their
feelings. Clarifying seeks to understand vague statements, summarizing reviews main points, and focusing
narrows the conversation to a specific topic .
4. A nurse is speaking with a patient who appears anxious. Which statement demonstrates the therapeutic
technique of reflecting?
A. "Tell me more about your chest pain."
B. "You seem worried. Is that what you're feeling?"
C. "I think you should talk to the doctor."
, D. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Correct Answer: B. "You seem worried. Is that what you're feeling?"
Rationale: Reflection helps patients recognize and explore their own emotions. By observing and verbalizing
the patient's apparent emotional state, the nurse validates their feelings and encourages further discussion.
"Tell me more..." is exploring, advising is nontherapeutic, and false reassurance dismisses the patient's
feelings .
5. A nurse says, "What happened after you felt the dizziness?" Which therapeutic communication technique is
this?
A. General lead
B. Restating
C. Focusing
D. Clarifying
Correct Answer: C. Focusing
Rationale: Focusing is used to narrow the conversation to a specific topic or event. The nurse is directing the
patient to discuss a particular detail about their symptom. A general lead would be a neutral statement like
"Go on..." to encourage the patient to continue speaking .
6. Which of the following is a non-therapeutic communication technique?
A. Silence
B. Restating
