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NSG 3450 EXAM 2 – NURSING PRACTICE: MENTAL HEALTH (GALEN
COLLEGE OF NURSING) NEWEST UPDATED EXAM 2026 – 2027 SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ (LATEST VERSION)
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 my parents everything for your safety.”
Answer: B
Rationale: 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 with an adolescent testing boundaries.
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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 which
type of communication?
A. Congruent communication
B. Incongruous communication
C. Defensive communication
D. Passive communication
Answer: B
Rationale: Incongruous communication occurs when verbal and nonverbal messages
conflict; the patient’s words say “perfect” while the nonverbal behavior (foot tapping,
avoidant eye contact) suggests otherwise, signaling underlying distress that warrants
gentle exploration.
3. Which nursing response best demonstrates the therapeutic technique of
clarification?
A. “You shouldn’t feel that way about your family.”
B. “I’m not sure I understand. Give me an example.”
C. “Let’s talk about something more pleasant.”
D. “You must get your feelings under control before we can continue.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Clarification (“I’m not sure I understand. Give me an example”) asks the
patient to elaborate so the nurse can accurately grasp the patient’s meaning, which is a
core therapeutic communication technique.
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4. A patient says, “I can’t go on anymore.” Which initial response by the nurse is the
priority?
A. “Things will get better; you have so much to live for.”
B. “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”
C. “Let’s focus on your discharge plan instead.”
D. “Why would you say something like that?”
Answer: B
Rationale: Directly asking about self-harm is the priority when a patient expresses
hopelessness or worthlessness; it assesses suicide risk, which takes precedence over
reassurance or distraction, and does not “plant” the idea.
5. Which statement by the nurse is an example of offering false reassurance, a
nontherapeutic technique?
A. “Tell me more about what you’re feeling.”
B. “Everything will be fine, don’t worry.”
C. “That sounds frightening. What happened next?”
D. “I notice you’re clenching your fists.”
Answer: B
Rationale: “Everything will be fine” minimizes the patient’s experience and closes off
exploration; therapeutic responses acknowledge feelings and invite elaboration rather
than dismissing concerns.
6. The nurse uses the technique of restating when responding to a patient. Which is
the best example?
A. “You feel like no one listens to you.”
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B. “Why do you think that is?”
C. “Let’s change the subject.”
D. “You shouldn’t let them treat you that way.”
Answer: A
Rationale: Restating repeats the main idea back to the patient in the nurse’s own
words, demonstrating that the nurse heard and understood the patient’s core message.
7. A patient is crying softly. Which response best reflects the therapeutic use of
silence?
A. “Why are you crying? Tell me right now.”
B. Remaining quietly present while the patient collects their thoughts
C. Leaving the room until the patient stops crying
D. “Crying won’t solve anything.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Silence is a therapeutic technique that allows the patient time to process
feelings and decide what to share; the nurse’s calm, supportive presence
communicates acceptance without pressure.
8. Which nurse statement best demonstrates the technique of reflecting?
A. “You’re saying you feel trapped and unsure what to do.”
B. “You’ll feel better after some rest.”
C. “My mother felt the same way.”
D. “Let me tell you what you should do.”
Answer: A
NSG 3450 EXAM 2 – NURSING PRACTICE: MENTAL HEALTH (GALEN
COLLEGE OF NURSING) NEWEST UPDATED EXAM 2026 – 2027 SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ (LATEST VERSION)
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 my parents everything for your safety.”
Answer: B
Rationale: 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 with an adolescent testing boundaries.
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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 which
type of communication?
A. Congruent communication
B. Incongruous communication
C. Defensive communication
D. Passive communication
Answer: B
Rationale: Incongruous communication occurs when verbal and nonverbal messages
conflict; the patient’s words say “perfect” while the nonverbal behavior (foot tapping,
avoidant eye contact) suggests otherwise, signaling underlying distress that warrants
gentle exploration.
3. Which nursing response best demonstrates the therapeutic technique of
clarification?
A. “You shouldn’t feel that way about your family.”
B. “I’m not sure I understand. Give me an example.”
C. “Let’s talk about something more pleasant.”
D. “You must get your feelings under control before we can continue.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Clarification (“I’m not sure I understand. Give me an example”) asks the
patient to elaborate so the nurse can accurately grasp the patient’s meaning, which is a
core therapeutic communication technique.
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4. A patient says, “I can’t go on anymore.” Which initial response by the nurse is the
priority?
A. “Things will get better; you have so much to live for.”
B. “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”
C. “Let’s focus on your discharge plan instead.”
D. “Why would you say something like that?”
Answer: B
Rationale: Directly asking about self-harm is the priority when a patient expresses
hopelessness or worthlessness; it assesses suicide risk, which takes precedence over
reassurance or distraction, and does not “plant” the idea.
5. Which statement by the nurse is an example of offering false reassurance, a
nontherapeutic technique?
A. “Tell me more about what you’re feeling.”
B. “Everything will be fine, don’t worry.”
C. “That sounds frightening. What happened next?”
D. “I notice you’re clenching your fists.”
Answer: B
Rationale: “Everything will be fine” minimizes the patient’s experience and closes off
exploration; therapeutic responses acknowledge feelings and invite elaboration rather
than dismissing concerns.
6. The nurse uses the technique of restating when responding to a patient. Which is
the best example?
A. “You feel like no one listens to you.”
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B. “Why do you think that is?”
C. “Let’s change the subject.”
D. “You shouldn’t let them treat you that way.”
Answer: A
Rationale: Restating repeats the main idea back to the patient in the nurse’s own
words, demonstrating that the nurse heard and understood the patient’s core message.
7. A patient is crying softly. Which response best reflects the therapeutic use of
silence?
A. “Why are you crying? Tell me right now.”
B. Remaining quietly present while the patient collects their thoughts
C. Leaving the room until the patient stops crying
D. “Crying won’t solve anything.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Silence is a therapeutic technique that allows the patient time to process
feelings and decide what to share; the nurse’s calm, supportive presence
communicates acceptance without pressure.
8. Which nurse statement best demonstrates the technique of reflecting?
A. “You’re saying you feel trapped and unsure what to do.”
B. “You’ll feel better after some rest.”
C. “My mother felt the same way.”
D. “Let me tell you what you should do.”
Answer: A
