BSN 235 Exam (PDF) 2026 | Question
Practice Exam with Answers & Rationales
Nightingale College | BSN 235: Nursing
Communication and Informatics
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication (Questions 1–25)
1. Which phase of the nurse-patient relationship focuses on
establishing trust and setting the boundaries of the relationship?
A) Working phase
B) Pre-interaction phase
C) Termination phase
D) Orientation phase
Answer: D
Rationale: ** The orientation phase is where the nurse and patient meet,
get to know each other, and establish the parameters of their relationship.
During this phase, trust is built, and the boundaries of the therapeutic
relationship are defined. The working phase involves active problem-
solving, and the termination phase focuses on ending the relationship.
,2. Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question?
A) "Are you feeling better today?"
B) "Can you tell me more about the pain you are experiencing?"
C) "Did you take your medication this morning?"
D) "Do you have any allergies?"
Answer: B
Rationale: ** Open-ended questions allow patients to elaborate and
provide descriptive information rather than simple yes/no answers.
Questions beginning with "can you tell me more" or "how" encourage
patients to share their experiences and feelings, promoting therapeutic
communication. Closed-ended questions (A, C, D) yield limited responses.
3. A nurse is using the 'Teach-back' method. What is the nurse
primarily assessing?
A) The patient's ability to read English
B) The patient's physical coordination
C) The patient's understanding of the education provided
D) The patient's insurance coverage
Answer: C
Rationale: ** Teach-back is a communication confirmation method used
to ensure that the patient understands the information explained by the
provider. The nurse asks the patient to explain the information in their
own words, confirming comprehension and identifying areas needing
2
,clarification. It is a cornerstone of patient education and health literacy
assessment.
4. In the communication process, 'noise' refers to:
A) Only loud sounds in the hallway
B) The nurse's spoken words
C) Any factor that interferes with the message being sent or received
D) The patient's response to a question
Answer: C
Rationale: ** Noise represents any interference (physical, emotional, or
environmental) that hinders the communication process. This can include
actual background sounds, but also psychological distractions, language
barriers, cultural differences, or emotional states that prevent clear
transmission or reception of the message.
5. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used when a
nurse says, "You mentioned you are worried about the surgery. Can
you tell me more about that?"
A) Exploring
B) Summarizing
C) Restating
D) Offering self
3
, Answer: A
Rationale: ** Exploring is a technique used to delve deeper into a subject
or an idea that a patient has mentioned. By asking the patient to elaborate,
the nurse encourages the patient to express concerns, fears, or feelings
that may not have been fully articulated. This technique helps gather more
information and demonstrates genuine interest in the patient's experience.
6. Which of the following is a barrier to effective nurse-patient
communication?
A) Active listening
B) Using open-ended questions
C) Providing false reassurance
D) Maintaining eye contact
Answer: C
Rationale: ** False reassurance can block communication by discouraging
the patient from expressing their true feelings. Statements like "Everything
will be fine" minimize the patient's concerns and shut down further
discussion. Active listening, open-ended questions, and appropriate eye
contact are all facilitators of therapeutic communication.
7. When communicating with a patient who is hard of hearing, which
action by the nurse is most appropriate?
4
Practice Exam with Answers & Rationales
Nightingale College | BSN 235: Nursing
Communication and Informatics
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication (Questions 1–25)
1. Which phase of the nurse-patient relationship focuses on
establishing trust and setting the boundaries of the relationship?
A) Working phase
B) Pre-interaction phase
C) Termination phase
D) Orientation phase
Answer: D
Rationale: ** The orientation phase is where the nurse and patient meet,
get to know each other, and establish the parameters of their relationship.
During this phase, trust is built, and the boundaries of the therapeutic
relationship are defined. The working phase involves active problem-
solving, and the termination phase focuses on ending the relationship.
,2. Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question?
A) "Are you feeling better today?"
B) "Can you tell me more about the pain you are experiencing?"
C) "Did you take your medication this morning?"
D) "Do you have any allergies?"
Answer: B
Rationale: ** Open-ended questions allow patients to elaborate and
provide descriptive information rather than simple yes/no answers.
Questions beginning with "can you tell me more" or "how" encourage
patients to share their experiences and feelings, promoting therapeutic
communication. Closed-ended questions (A, C, D) yield limited responses.
3. A nurse is using the 'Teach-back' method. What is the nurse
primarily assessing?
A) The patient's ability to read English
B) The patient's physical coordination
C) The patient's understanding of the education provided
D) The patient's insurance coverage
Answer: C
Rationale: ** Teach-back is a communication confirmation method used
to ensure that the patient understands the information explained by the
provider. The nurse asks the patient to explain the information in their
own words, confirming comprehension and identifying areas needing
2
,clarification. It is a cornerstone of patient education and health literacy
assessment.
4. In the communication process, 'noise' refers to:
A) Only loud sounds in the hallway
B) The nurse's spoken words
C) Any factor that interferes with the message being sent or received
D) The patient's response to a question
Answer: C
Rationale: ** Noise represents any interference (physical, emotional, or
environmental) that hinders the communication process. This can include
actual background sounds, but also psychological distractions, language
barriers, cultural differences, or emotional states that prevent clear
transmission or reception of the message.
5. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used when a
nurse says, "You mentioned you are worried about the surgery. Can
you tell me more about that?"
A) Exploring
B) Summarizing
C) Restating
D) Offering self
3
, Answer: A
Rationale: ** Exploring is a technique used to delve deeper into a subject
or an idea that a patient has mentioned. By asking the patient to elaborate,
the nurse encourages the patient to express concerns, fears, or feelings
that may not have been fully articulated. This technique helps gather more
information and demonstrates genuine interest in the patient's experience.
6. Which of the following is a barrier to effective nurse-patient
communication?
A) Active listening
B) Using open-ended questions
C) Providing false reassurance
D) Maintaining eye contact
Answer: C
Rationale: ** False reassurance can block communication by discouraging
the patient from expressing their true feelings. Statements like "Everything
will be fine" minimize the patient's concerns and shut down further
discussion. Active listening, open-ended questions, and appropriate eye
contact are all facilitators of therapeutic communication.
7. When communicating with a patient who is hard of hearing, which
action by the nurse is most appropriate?
4
