NCLEX RN Therapeutic Communication
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026
1. A client says, “I feel like nobody understands what I’m going through.”
Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. “You should talk to your family about this.”
B. “I understand exactly how you feel.”
C. “Tell me more about what you’re experiencing.”
D. “Things will get better soon.”
Answer: “Tell me more about what you’re experiencing.”
Rationale: This response uses an open-ended statement that encourages the
client to explore feelings and experiences without imposing the nurse’s
assumptions.
2. A client begins crying while discussing a recent loss. What is the nurse’s
best response?
A. “Please try not to cry.”
B. “Everything will be okay.”
C. “I’ll stay here with you.”
D. “You need to remain strong.”
Answer: “I’ll stay here with you.”
Rationale: Offering presence communicates acceptance and support without
attempting to stop or minimize the client’s emotions.
3. Which communication technique involves repeating the client’s main
idea using the nurse’s own words?
,A. Reflection
B. Restating
C. Focusing
D. Clarification
Answer: Restating
Rationale: Restating repeats the client’s central message in different words
and allows the client to elaborate or correct misunderstandings.
4. A client says, “I’m terrified about having surgery tomorrow.” Which
response is most therapeutic?
A. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
B. “Many people have this surgery without problems.”
C. “You seem frightened about the surgery.”
D. “The surgeon is very experienced.”
Answer: “You seem frightened about the surgery.”
Rationale: This response reflects the client’s feelings and validates the
emotional experience without minimizing the fear.
5. The nurse asks, “Can you explain what you mean when you say you feel
empty?” Which technique is being used?
A. Clarification
B. Giving advice
C. Confrontation
D. Summarization
Answer: Clarification
Rationale: Clarification is used when the nurse needs additional information
to understand the client’s meaning accurately.
6. Which statement by the nurse demonstrates active listening?
A. “I know what you should do.”
B. “Go on; I’m listening.”
C. “You need to calm down.”
D. “Why did you make that decision?”
,Answer: “Go on; I’m listening.”
Rationale: Active listening involves attentive verbal and nonverbal behaviors
that encourage the client to continue communicating.
7. A client says, “I’m angry because my spouse left me.” Which response is
most therapeutic?
A. “You should try dating someone else.”
B. “You have every right to be angry.”
C. “Tell me more about your anger.”
D. “Your spouse probably had a reason.”
Answer: “Tell me more about your anger.”
Rationale: This open-ended response encourages exploration of the client’s
feelings rather than judging, advising, or defending another person.
8. Which nursing response is an example of using silence therapeutically?
A. Changing the subject when the client stops talking
B. Remaining with the client during a pause in conversation
C. Asking several questions rapidly
D. Leaving the room immediately
Answer: Remaining with the client during a pause in conversation
Rationale: Therapeutic silence gives clients time to organize thoughts and
feelings and can encourage deeper communication.
9. A client says, “I don’t know what I should do about my marriage.” Which
response should the nurse use?
A. “You should leave your spouse.”
B. “What options have you considered?”
C. “I think counseling would help.”
D. “If I were you, I would leave.”
Answer: “What options have you considered?”
Rationale: This response promotes problem-solving and autonomy rather
than giving advice or making decisions for the client.
, 10.Which statement is an example of a closed-ended question?
A. “How have you been feeling lately?”
B. “Tell me about your family.”
C. “What concerns you most?”
D. “Did you take your medication today?”
Answer: “Did you take your medication today?”
Rationale: Closed-ended questions generally elicit brief or specific responses
such as yes or no.
11.A client says, “I’m fine,” while avoiding eye contact and crying. Which
response is most appropriate?
A. “You said you’re fine, so we can move on.”
B. “You appear upset even though you say you’re fine.”
C. “Why are you pretending to be fine?”
D. “You need to tell me what’s wrong.”
Answer: “You appear upset even though you say you’re fine.”
Rationale: This response makes an observation about incongruent verbal and
nonverbal communication without accusing the client.
12.Which statement by a nurse is an example of giving false reassurance?
A. “What concerns you most about your diagnosis?”
B. “I can see that this is difficult for you.”
C. “Everything will be fine.”
D. “Tell me more about your concerns.”
Answer: “Everything will be fine.”
Rationale: False reassurance minimizes concerns and promises an outcome
the nurse cannot guarantee.
13.A client says, “I hate being in this hospital.” Which response is most
therapeutic?
A. “You’ll be discharged soon.”
B. “What do you dislike most about being here?”
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026
1. A client says, “I feel like nobody understands what I’m going through.”
Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. “You should talk to your family about this.”
B. “I understand exactly how you feel.”
C. “Tell me more about what you’re experiencing.”
D. “Things will get better soon.”
Answer: “Tell me more about what you’re experiencing.”
Rationale: This response uses an open-ended statement that encourages the
client to explore feelings and experiences without imposing the nurse’s
assumptions.
2. A client begins crying while discussing a recent loss. What is the nurse’s
best response?
A. “Please try not to cry.”
B. “Everything will be okay.”
C. “I’ll stay here with you.”
D. “You need to remain strong.”
Answer: “I’ll stay here with you.”
Rationale: Offering presence communicates acceptance and support without
attempting to stop or minimize the client’s emotions.
3. Which communication technique involves repeating the client’s main
idea using the nurse’s own words?
,A. Reflection
B. Restating
C. Focusing
D. Clarification
Answer: Restating
Rationale: Restating repeats the client’s central message in different words
and allows the client to elaborate or correct misunderstandings.
4. A client says, “I’m terrified about having surgery tomorrow.” Which
response is most therapeutic?
A. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
B. “Many people have this surgery without problems.”
C. “You seem frightened about the surgery.”
D. “The surgeon is very experienced.”
Answer: “You seem frightened about the surgery.”
Rationale: This response reflects the client’s feelings and validates the
emotional experience without minimizing the fear.
5. The nurse asks, “Can you explain what you mean when you say you feel
empty?” Which technique is being used?
A. Clarification
B. Giving advice
C. Confrontation
D. Summarization
Answer: Clarification
Rationale: Clarification is used when the nurse needs additional information
to understand the client’s meaning accurately.
6. Which statement by the nurse demonstrates active listening?
A. “I know what you should do.”
B. “Go on; I’m listening.”
C. “You need to calm down.”
D. “Why did you make that decision?”
,Answer: “Go on; I’m listening.”
Rationale: Active listening involves attentive verbal and nonverbal behaviors
that encourage the client to continue communicating.
7. A client says, “I’m angry because my spouse left me.” Which response is
most therapeutic?
A. “You should try dating someone else.”
B. “You have every right to be angry.”
C. “Tell me more about your anger.”
D. “Your spouse probably had a reason.”
Answer: “Tell me more about your anger.”
Rationale: This open-ended response encourages exploration of the client’s
feelings rather than judging, advising, or defending another person.
8. Which nursing response is an example of using silence therapeutically?
A. Changing the subject when the client stops talking
B. Remaining with the client during a pause in conversation
C. Asking several questions rapidly
D. Leaving the room immediately
Answer: Remaining with the client during a pause in conversation
Rationale: Therapeutic silence gives clients time to organize thoughts and
feelings and can encourage deeper communication.
9. A client says, “I don’t know what I should do about my marriage.” Which
response should the nurse use?
A. “You should leave your spouse.”
B. “What options have you considered?”
C. “I think counseling would help.”
D. “If I were you, I would leave.”
Answer: “What options have you considered?”
Rationale: This response promotes problem-solving and autonomy rather
than giving advice or making decisions for the client.
, 10.Which statement is an example of a closed-ended question?
A. “How have you been feeling lately?”
B. “Tell me about your family.”
C. “What concerns you most?”
D. “Did you take your medication today?”
Answer: “Did you take your medication today?”
Rationale: Closed-ended questions generally elicit brief or specific responses
such as yes or no.
11.A client says, “I’m fine,” while avoiding eye contact and crying. Which
response is most appropriate?
A. “You said you’re fine, so we can move on.”
B. “You appear upset even though you say you’re fine.”
C. “Why are you pretending to be fine?”
D. “You need to tell me what’s wrong.”
Answer: “You appear upset even though you say you’re fine.”
Rationale: This response makes an observation about incongruent verbal and
nonverbal communication without accusing the client.
12.Which statement by a nurse is an example of giving false reassurance?
A. “What concerns you most about your diagnosis?”
B. “I can see that this is difficult for you.”
C. “Everything will be fine.”
D. “Tell me more about your concerns.”
Answer: “Everything will be fine.”
Rationale: False reassurance minimizes concerns and promises an outcome
the nurse cannot guarantee.
13.A client says, “I hate being in this hospital.” Which response is most
therapeutic?
A. “You’ll be discharged soon.”
B. “What do you dislike most about being here?”
