,Chapter 1 – Science and the Therapeutic Use of Self in Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing
1. A psychiatric-mental health nurse emphasizes “use of self” in clinical
interactions. What does this primarily involve?
A. Sharing personal experiences to build empathy
B. Establishing social rapport before conducting a clinical interview
C. Using personality traits consciously to form therapeutic alliances
D. Focusing exclusively on nonverbal communication techniques
✅ Correct Answer: C. Using personality traits consciously to form therapeutic
alliances
Rationale: The therapeutic use of self is an intentional process where the nurse
uses their personality, insights, and communication skills to form a professional,
healing relationship. It’s more than being friendly—it's deliberate, conscious use
of traits to enhance care.
2. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of therapeutic
communication in psychiatric nursing?
A. To entertain and distract the client
B. To create a mutual friendship with the client
C. To assist the client in identifying feelings and solving problems
D. To gain client compliance with treatment
✅ Correct Answer: C. To assist the client in identifying feelings and solving
problems
Rationale: Therapeutic communication aims to promote client insight, explore
problems, and support behavior change. It differs from social communication in
that it is client-centered and goal-directed.
3. The concept of “therapeutic use of self” requires which of the following
foundational skills?
,A. Passive listening and sympathetic responses
B. Self-awareness, empathy, and boundary setting
C. Sharing personal opinions to build trust
D. Diagnosing mental illness independently
✅ Correct Answer: B. Self-awareness, empathy, and boundary setting
Rationale: Self-awareness allows nurses to understand their own emotional
responses. Empathy facilitates understanding others’ perspectives, and setting
professional boundaries maintains the therapeutic nature of the relationship.
4. Which therapeutic quality enables the psychiatric nurse to recognize the
emotions of a client without becoming emotionally overwhelmed?
A. Sympathy
B. Compassion fatigue
C. Empathy
D. Self-efficacy
✅ Correct Answer: C. Empathy
Rationale: Empathy is the ability to understand and share in another person’s
feelings without losing objectivity. It promotes therapeutic connection without
compromising emotional boundaries.
5. According to Peplau’s theory, which phase of the nurse-patient relationship
involves clarifying roles and developing trust?
A. Termination
B. Orientation
C. Working
D. Identification
✅ Correct Answer: B. Orientation
Rationale: In the orientation phase, the nurse and client meet and begin to build
trust. Roles are clarified, boundaries are established, and problems are
tentatively identified.
, 6. A client asks the nurse personal questions during an assessment. The best
response to maintain therapeutic use of self is:
A. “Let’s focus on you right now. Can you tell me more about what brought you
here?”
B. “I’m married with two kids. What about you?”
C. “It’s okay to get to know each other. I’ll tell you more later.”
D. “That’s not important.”
✅ Correct Answer: A. “Let’s focus on you right now. Can you tell me more
about what brought you here?”
Rationale: This response redirects attention to the client respectfully, modeling
therapeutic boundaries while maintaining a person-centered approach.
7. A psychiatric nurse demonstrates the therapeutic use of self when they:
A. Share their own struggles with mental health
B. Critique the client’s behavior to promote accountability
C. Use their communication skills to build trust and promote healing
D. Avoid deep emotional discussions to prevent over-involvement
✅ Correct Answer: C. Use their communication skills to build trust and
promote healing
Rationale: The therapeutic use of self includes intentional use of
communication strategies, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills to
foster healing relationships.
8. Which behavior best exemplifies a violation of professional boundaries?
A. Calling the client after discharge to check in
B. Showing empathy during an emotional moment
C. Listening attentively to the client’s trauma history
D. Maintaining eye contact and active listening
Health Nursing
1. A psychiatric-mental health nurse emphasizes “use of self” in clinical
interactions. What does this primarily involve?
A. Sharing personal experiences to build empathy
B. Establishing social rapport before conducting a clinical interview
C. Using personality traits consciously to form therapeutic alliances
D. Focusing exclusively on nonverbal communication techniques
✅ Correct Answer: C. Using personality traits consciously to form therapeutic
alliances
Rationale: The therapeutic use of self is an intentional process where the nurse
uses their personality, insights, and communication skills to form a professional,
healing relationship. It’s more than being friendly—it's deliberate, conscious use
of traits to enhance care.
2. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of therapeutic
communication in psychiatric nursing?
A. To entertain and distract the client
B. To create a mutual friendship with the client
C. To assist the client in identifying feelings and solving problems
D. To gain client compliance with treatment
✅ Correct Answer: C. To assist the client in identifying feelings and solving
problems
Rationale: Therapeutic communication aims to promote client insight, explore
problems, and support behavior change. It differs from social communication in
that it is client-centered and goal-directed.
3. The concept of “therapeutic use of self” requires which of the following
foundational skills?
,A. Passive listening and sympathetic responses
B. Self-awareness, empathy, and boundary setting
C. Sharing personal opinions to build trust
D. Diagnosing mental illness independently
✅ Correct Answer: B. Self-awareness, empathy, and boundary setting
Rationale: Self-awareness allows nurses to understand their own emotional
responses. Empathy facilitates understanding others’ perspectives, and setting
professional boundaries maintains the therapeutic nature of the relationship.
4. Which therapeutic quality enables the psychiatric nurse to recognize the
emotions of a client without becoming emotionally overwhelmed?
A. Sympathy
B. Compassion fatigue
C. Empathy
D. Self-efficacy
✅ Correct Answer: C. Empathy
Rationale: Empathy is the ability to understand and share in another person’s
feelings without losing objectivity. It promotes therapeutic connection without
compromising emotional boundaries.
5. According to Peplau’s theory, which phase of the nurse-patient relationship
involves clarifying roles and developing trust?
A. Termination
B. Orientation
C. Working
D. Identification
✅ Correct Answer: B. Orientation
Rationale: In the orientation phase, the nurse and client meet and begin to build
trust. Roles are clarified, boundaries are established, and problems are
tentatively identified.
, 6. A client asks the nurse personal questions during an assessment. The best
response to maintain therapeutic use of self is:
A. “Let’s focus on you right now. Can you tell me more about what brought you
here?”
B. “I’m married with two kids. What about you?”
C. “It’s okay to get to know each other. I’ll tell you more later.”
D. “That’s not important.”
✅ Correct Answer: A. “Let’s focus on you right now. Can you tell me more
about what brought you here?”
Rationale: This response redirects attention to the client respectfully, modeling
therapeutic boundaries while maintaining a person-centered approach.
7. A psychiatric nurse demonstrates the therapeutic use of self when they:
A. Share their own struggles with mental health
B. Critique the client’s behavior to promote accountability
C. Use their communication skills to build trust and promote healing
D. Avoid deep emotional discussions to prevent over-involvement
✅ Correct Answer: C. Use their communication skills to build trust and
promote healing
Rationale: The therapeutic use of self includes intentional use of
communication strategies, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills to
foster healing relationships.
8. Which behavior best exemplifies a violation of professional boundaries?
A. Calling the client after discharge to check in
B. Showing empathy during an emotional moment
C. Listening attentively to the client’s trauma history
D. Maintaining eye contact and active listening
