NSG 3450 Exam 2 Prep | Latest Update 2026/2027 |
200 Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | Verified
Answers with Rationales | A+ Graded
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & the NursePatient Relationship (Questions 1–30)
1. A nurse is conducting an admission interview with an adolescent who states, "Why should I tell you
anything? You'll just tell my parents everything." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "Your parents have a legal right to know everything you tell me during our sessions."
B. "What you say about your feelings is private, but some things, like suicidal thoughts, must be
reported to the treatment team."
C. "I promise I won't tell your parents anything you say during our conversation today."
D. "You're right to be concerned, but I have to tell your parents everything for your safety."
Correct Answer: B. "What you say about your feelings is private, but some things, like suicidal thoughts,
must be reported to the treatment team."
Explanation: This response is honest about the limits of confidentiality while respecting the adolescent's
need for privacy. It establishes trust by clarifying what information will be shared and under what
circumstances, which is essential for building a therapeutic alliance.
2. A patient tells the nurse, "My marriage is perfect," while repeatedly tapping their foot and avoiding
eye contact. The nurse recognizes this as an example of:
A. Congruent communication
B. Incongruous communication
C. Defensive communication
D. Passive communication
Correct Answer: B. Incongruous communication
Explanation: Incongruous communication occurs when verbal and nonverbal messages conflict. The
patient's words say "perfect," but the nervous tapping and avoidant eye contact suggest otherwise.
3. A patient says to the nurse, "I feel like no one understands what I'm going through." Which
therapeutic response is most appropriate?
,A. "You shouldn't feel that way; your family loves you."
B. "I understand you are in a difficult situation."
C. "Thinking about being wronged repeatedly does more harm than good."
D. "It must be so difficult to live with uncaring people."
Correct Answer: B. "I understand you are in a difficult situation."
Explanation: This response conveys empathy and validates the patient's feelings without making
assumptions or offering false reassurance. It encourages further exploration of the patient's experience.
4. Which statement is an example of a nontherapeutic communication technique?
A. "Tell me more about what you are feeling."
B. "Why did you do that?"
C. "It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed."
D. "What has helped you cope in the past?"
Correct Answer: B. "Why did you do that?"
Explanation: "Why" questions can be perceived as judgmental and put the patient on the defensive.
Therapeutic communication should be nonjudgmental and supportive.
5. A patient states, "I'm not sure I understand what you mean." Which is the best response?
A. "You must get your feelings under control before we can continue."
B. "I'm not sure I understand. Give me an example."
C. "That's not important right now."
D. "You should know what I mean by now."
Correct Answer: B. "I'm not sure I understand. Give me an example."
Explanation: Seeking clarification is a therapeutic technique that demonstrates respect and encourages
the patient to elaborate, promoting understanding.
6. Which is a characteristic of a therapeutic nursepatient relationship?
A. The nurse shares personal problems to build rapport.
B. The relationship is goaldirected and focused on the patient's needs.
C. The nurse maintains a social relationship with the patient after discharge.
,D. The nurse makes decisions for the patient to reduce anxiety.
Correct Answer: B. The relationship is goaldirected and focused on the patient's needs.
Explanation: Therapeutic relationships are professional, goaldirected, and focused on promoting the
patient's health and wellbeing. They are not social relationships, and the nurse should not impose
personal problems or make decisions for the patient.
7. A nurse is using active listening. Which behavior demonstrates this technique?
A. Interrupting the patient to correct misinformation.
B. Maintaining eye contact and nodding appropriately.
C. Checking the time frequently during the conversation.
D. Changing the subject when the patient discusses difficult feelings.
Correct Answer: B. Maintaining eye contact and nodding appropriately.
Explanation: Active listening involves giving full attention, maintaining appropriate eye contact, nodding,
and using verbal and nonverbal cues to show the patient is being heard.
8. A patient discloses, "I have been thinking about ending my life." Which is the nurse's priority action?
A. Change the subject to a safer topic.
B. Ask directly, "Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?"
C. Reassure the patient that everything will be fine.
D. Document the statement and continue the assessment.
Correct Answer: B. Ask directly, "Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?"
Explanation: Directly asking about suicidal ideation and plans is essential for assessing risk and ensuring
safety. This is a priority nursing intervention.
9. Which is an example of a therapeutic communication technique?
A. Giving advice
B. Offering false reassurance
C. Reflecting the patient's feelings
D. Changing the subject
Correct Answer: C. Reflecting the patient's feelings
, Explanation: Reflection involves restating the patient's feelings or thoughts to demonstrate
understanding and encourage further expression. Giving advice, false reassurance, and changing the
subject are nontherapeutic.
10. A nurse says to a patient, "You look upset today." This is an example of:
A. Making an observation
B. Giving advice
C. False reassurance
D. Defending
Correct Answer: A. Making an observation
Explanation: Making an observation involves stating what the nurse perceives, which can help the
patient become more aware of their feelings and open up for discussion.
11. Which statement by the nurse demonstrates empathy?
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
B. "It sounds like you are feeling hopeless right now."
C. "You shouldn't feel that way."
D. "Everything will be okay."
Correct Answer: B. "It sounds like you are feeling hopeless right now."
Explanation: Empathy involves understanding and communicating the patient's feelings without
claiming to have had the same experience. It validates the patient's experience.
12. A patient is crying. Which is the most appropriate nursing response?
A. "Don't cry; everything will be fine."
B. "Why are you crying?"
C. Offer a tissue and sit quietly with the patient.
D. Leave the room to give the patient privacy.
Correct Answer: C. Offer a tissue and sit quietly with the patient.
Explanation: Offering a tissue and remaining present provides comfort and support without minimizing
the patient's feelings. Silence can be a powerful therapeutic tool.
200 Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | Verified
Answers with Rationales | A+ Graded
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & the NursePatient Relationship (Questions 1–30)
1. A nurse is conducting an admission interview with an adolescent who states, "Why should I tell you
anything? You'll just tell my parents everything." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "Your parents have a legal right to know everything you tell me during our sessions."
B. "What you say about your feelings is private, but some things, like suicidal thoughts, must be
reported to the treatment team."
C. "I promise I won't tell your parents anything you say during our conversation today."
D. "You're right to be concerned, but I have to tell your parents everything for your safety."
Correct Answer: B. "What you say about your feelings is private, but some things, like suicidal thoughts,
must be reported to the treatment team."
Explanation: This response is honest about the limits of confidentiality while respecting the adolescent's
need for privacy. It establishes trust by clarifying what information will be shared and under what
circumstances, which is essential for building a therapeutic alliance.
2. A patient tells the nurse, "My marriage is perfect," while repeatedly tapping their foot and avoiding
eye contact. The nurse recognizes this as an example of:
A. Congruent communication
B. Incongruous communication
C. Defensive communication
D. Passive communication
Correct Answer: B. Incongruous communication
Explanation: Incongruous communication occurs when verbal and nonverbal messages conflict. The
patient's words say "perfect," but the nervous tapping and avoidant eye contact suggest otherwise.
3. A patient says to the nurse, "I feel like no one understands what I'm going through." Which
therapeutic response is most appropriate?
,A. "You shouldn't feel that way; your family loves you."
B. "I understand you are in a difficult situation."
C. "Thinking about being wronged repeatedly does more harm than good."
D. "It must be so difficult to live with uncaring people."
Correct Answer: B. "I understand you are in a difficult situation."
Explanation: This response conveys empathy and validates the patient's feelings without making
assumptions or offering false reassurance. It encourages further exploration of the patient's experience.
4. Which statement is an example of a nontherapeutic communication technique?
A. "Tell me more about what you are feeling."
B. "Why did you do that?"
C. "It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed."
D. "What has helped you cope in the past?"
Correct Answer: B. "Why did you do that?"
Explanation: "Why" questions can be perceived as judgmental and put the patient on the defensive.
Therapeutic communication should be nonjudgmental and supportive.
5. A patient states, "I'm not sure I understand what you mean." Which is the best response?
A. "You must get your feelings under control before we can continue."
B. "I'm not sure I understand. Give me an example."
C. "That's not important right now."
D. "You should know what I mean by now."
Correct Answer: B. "I'm not sure I understand. Give me an example."
Explanation: Seeking clarification is a therapeutic technique that demonstrates respect and encourages
the patient to elaborate, promoting understanding.
6. Which is a characteristic of a therapeutic nursepatient relationship?
A. The nurse shares personal problems to build rapport.
B. The relationship is goaldirected and focused on the patient's needs.
C. The nurse maintains a social relationship with the patient after discharge.
,D. The nurse makes decisions for the patient to reduce anxiety.
Correct Answer: B. The relationship is goaldirected and focused on the patient's needs.
Explanation: Therapeutic relationships are professional, goaldirected, and focused on promoting the
patient's health and wellbeing. They are not social relationships, and the nurse should not impose
personal problems or make decisions for the patient.
7. A nurse is using active listening. Which behavior demonstrates this technique?
A. Interrupting the patient to correct misinformation.
B. Maintaining eye contact and nodding appropriately.
C. Checking the time frequently during the conversation.
D. Changing the subject when the patient discusses difficult feelings.
Correct Answer: B. Maintaining eye contact and nodding appropriately.
Explanation: Active listening involves giving full attention, maintaining appropriate eye contact, nodding,
and using verbal and nonverbal cues to show the patient is being heard.
8. A patient discloses, "I have been thinking about ending my life." Which is the nurse's priority action?
A. Change the subject to a safer topic.
B. Ask directly, "Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?"
C. Reassure the patient that everything will be fine.
D. Document the statement and continue the assessment.
Correct Answer: B. Ask directly, "Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?"
Explanation: Directly asking about suicidal ideation and plans is essential for assessing risk and ensuring
safety. This is a priority nursing intervention.
9. Which is an example of a therapeutic communication technique?
A. Giving advice
B. Offering false reassurance
C. Reflecting the patient's feelings
D. Changing the subject
Correct Answer: C. Reflecting the patient's feelings
, Explanation: Reflection involves restating the patient's feelings or thoughts to demonstrate
understanding and encourage further expression. Giving advice, false reassurance, and changing the
subject are nontherapeutic.
10. A nurse says to a patient, "You look upset today." This is an example of:
A. Making an observation
B. Giving advice
C. False reassurance
D. Defending
Correct Answer: A. Making an observation
Explanation: Making an observation involves stating what the nurse perceives, which can help the
patient become more aware of their feelings and open up for discussion.
11. Which statement by the nurse demonstrates empathy?
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
B. "It sounds like you are feeling hopeless right now."
C. "You shouldn't feel that way."
D. "Everything will be okay."
Correct Answer: B. "It sounds like you are feeling hopeless right now."
Explanation: Empathy involves understanding and communicating the patient's feelings without
claiming to have had the same experience. It validates the patient's experience.
12. A patient is crying. Which is the most appropriate nursing response?
A. "Don't cry; everything will be fine."
B. "Why are you crying?"
C. Offer a tissue and sit quietly with the patient.
D. Leave the room to give the patient privacy.
Correct Answer: C. Offer a tissue and sit quietly with the patient.
Explanation: Offering a tissue and remaining present provides comfort and support without minimizing
the patient's feelings. Silence can be a powerful therapeutic tool.
