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NSG 3450 Exam 2 2026/2027 Galen Nursing Practice Mental
Health Actual Exam Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales
Study Guide Grade A
1. Which statement made by the nurse demonstrates the best understanding of
nonverbal communication?
A. "The patient's verbal and nonverbal communication is often different."
B. "When my patient responds to my question, I check for congruence between verbal
and nonverbal communication to help validate the response."
C. "If a patient is slumped in the chair, I can be sure he's angry or depressed."
D. "It's easier to understand verbal communication than nonverbal communication."
Correct Answer: B. "When my patient responds to my question, I check for
congruence between verbal and nonverbal communication to help validate the
response."
Rationale: This response demonstrates understanding that nonverbal communication
often reveals true feelings and should be compared with verbal messages to validate
accuracy. Assumptions about meaning (C) are not therapeutic.
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2. Which nursing statement is an example of reflection?
A. "I think this feeling will pass."
B. "So you are saying that life has no meaning."
C. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
D. "You look sad."
Correct Answer: D. "You look sad."
Rationale: Reflection involves identifying and feeding back the patient's observed affect
or feelings. "You look sad" reflects the patient's emotional state, encouraging further
exploration.
3. When should a nurse be most alert to the possibility of communication errors
resulting in harm to the patient?
A. Change of shift report
B. Admission interviews
C. One-to-one conversations with patients
D. Conversations with patient families
Correct Answer: A. Change of shift report
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Rationale: Handoff communication during change of shift is a high-risk time for
communication errors, which can lead to adverse events. Structured handoff tools help
ensure accurate information transfer.
4. What principle about nurse-patient communication should guide a nurse's fear
about "saying the wrong thing" to a patient?
A. Patients tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys genuine acceptance,
respect, and concern for their situation.
B. The patient is more interested in talking to you than listening to what you have to say
and so is not likely to be offended.
C. Considering the patient's history, there is little chance that the comment will do any
actual harm.
D. Most people with a mental illness have by necessity developed a high tolerance for
forgiveness.
Correct Answer: A. Patients tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys
genuine acceptance, respect, and concern for their situation.
Rationale: Therapeutic communication is grounded in genuine acceptance, respect, and
concern. Patients generally respond positively to authenticity, even if the nurse is not
perfectly articulate.
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5. During an admission assessment and interview, which channels of information
communication should the nurse be monitoring? Select all that apply.
A. Auditory
B. Visual
C. Written
D. Tactile
E. Olfactory
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: The nurse should monitor auditory (tone, words), visual (body language, eye
contact), tactile (touch), and olfactory (smell) channels. Written communication (C) is
not typically assessed during an interview.
6. You have been working closely with a patient for the past month. Today he tells you
he is looking forward to meeting with his new psychiatrist but frowns and avoids eye
contact while reporting this to you. Which of the following responses would most
likely be therapeutic?
A. "A new psychiatrist is a chance to start fresh; I'm sure it will go well for you."
B. "You say that you look forward to the meeting, but you appear anxious or unhappy."
NSG 3450 Exam 2 2026/2027 Galen Nursing Practice Mental
Health Actual Exam Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales
Study Guide Grade A
1. Which statement made by the nurse demonstrates the best understanding of
nonverbal communication?
A. "The patient's verbal and nonverbal communication is often different."
B. "When my patient responds to my question, I check for congruence between verbal
and nonverbal communication to help validate the response."
C. "If a patient is slumped in the chair, I can be sure he's angry or depressed."
D. "It's easier to understand verbal communication than nonverbal communication."
Correct Answer: B. "When my patient responds to my question, I check for
congruence between verbal and nonverbal communication to help validate the
response."
Rationale: This response demonstrates understanding that nonverbal communication
often reveals true feelings and should be compared with verbal messages to validate
accuracy. Assumptions about meaning (C) are not therapeutic.
,2|Page
2. Which nursing statement is an example of reflection?
A. "I think this feeling will pass."
B. "So you are saying that life has no meaning."
C. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
D. "You look sad."
Correct Answer: D. "You look sad."
Rationale: Reflection involves identifying and feeding back the patient's observed affect
or feelings. "You look sad" reflects the patient's emotional state, encouraging further
exploration.
3. When should a nurse be most alert to the possibility of communication errors
resulting in harm to the patient?
A. Change of shift report
B. Admission interviews
C. One-to-one conversations with patients
D. Conversations with patient families
Correct Answer: A. Change of shift report
,3|Page
Rationale: Handoff communication during change of shift is a high-risk time for
communication errors, which can lead to adverse events. Structured handoff tools help
ensure accurate information transfer.
4. What principle about nurse-patient communication should guide a nurse's fear
about "saying the wrong thing" to a patient?
A. Patients tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys genuine acceptance,
respect, and concern for their situation.
B. The patient is more interested in talking to you than listening to what you have to say
and so is not likely to be offended.
C. Considering the patient's history, there is little chance that the comment will do any
actual harm.
D. Most people with a mental illness have by necessity developed a high tolerance for
forgiveness.
Correct Answer: A. Patients tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys
genuine acceptance, respect, and concern for their situation.
Rationale: Therapeutic communication is grounded in genuine acceptance, respect, and
concern. Patients generally respond positively to authenticity, even if the nurse is not
perfectly articulate.
, 4|Page
5. During an admission assessment and interview, which channels of information
communication should the nurse be monitoring? Select all that apply.
A. Auditory
B. Visual
C. Written
D. Tactile
E. Olfactory
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: The nurse should monitor auditory (tone, words), visual (body language, eye
contact), tactile (touch), and olfactory (smell) channels. Written communication (C) is
not typically assessed during an interview.
6. You have been working closely with a patient for the past month. Today he tells you
he is looking forward to meeting with his new psychiatrist but frowns and avoids eye
contact while reporting this to you. Which of the following responses would most
likely be therapeutic?
A. "A new psychiatrist is a chance to start fresh; I'm sure it will go well for you."
B. "You say that you look forward to the meeting, but you appear anxious or unhappy."
