NU 311: Clinical Nursing Skills Exam 4
All Questions Answered Correct 2026-
2027 Updated.
Goal of therapeutic communication - Answer •to promote wellness and personal growth in
patients
Therapeutic communication - Answer is patient centered, purposeful, and time limited. This
differs from social communication which is casual and comfortable. In this kind of relationship,
the nurse recognizes the patient as a unique individual and establishes a goal to help the
patient. One does not form a social relationship with the patient, such as dating, confiding
personal information, etc.
Phases of the therapeutic relationship - Answer •Pre-interactive phase - Here the nurse
gathers information about the
patient prior to having direct contact.
• Orientation phase - The goal of this phase is to develop rapport and trust.
It begins with an introduction and ends when the relationship has been
defined.
• Working phase - During this phase, caring is communicated, thoughts and
feelings are expressed, mutual respect is maintained, and honest verbal and nonverbal
expression occurs. The key goal is to help the patient to clarify feelings and concerns. A
professional relationship is courteous, trustworthy, and confidential and accomplished by active
listening and the use of therapeutic communication techniques.
• Termination phase - concludes the relationship. This could occur at the end of a shift or
discharge from the facility, etc. Note that therapeutic relations have an end.
Pre-interactive phase - Answer -1st phase of the therapeutic relationship
- Here the nurse gathers information about the patient prior to having direct contact.
Orientation phase - Answer -2nd phase of the therapeutic relationship
- The goal of this phase is to develop rapport and trust. It begins with an introduction and ends
when the relationship has been
defined.
Working phase - Answer -3rd phase of the therapeutic relationship
- During this phase, caring is communicated, thoughts and
,feelings are expressed, mutual respect is maintained, and honest verbal and nonverbal
expression occurs. The key goal is to help the patient to clarify feelings and concerns. A
professional relationship is courteous, trustworthy, and confidential and accomplished by active
listening and the use of therapeutic communication techniques.
Termination phase - Answer -4th phase of the therapeutic relationship
- concludes the relationship. This could occur at the end of a shift or discharge from the facility,
etc. Note that therapeutic relations have an end.
Characteristics of Therapeutic Communication - Answer • Empathy - Empathy is the desire to
understand and be sensitive to the
feelings, beliefs and situations of another person (Put yourself in the
other's place.)
• Respect for the patient
• Genuineness - Be honest. Be authentic.
• Concreteness and Confrontation - Offer understandable responses to a client's questions or
concerns. Construct messages in a manner that is suitable for the patient. Conversely, if a
patient is unable to express thoughts clearly, be willing and able to request clarification or to
confront the patient, as needed.
Empathy - Answer -Characteristic of therapeutic communication
-Is the desire to understand and be sensitive to the feelings, beliefs and situations of another
person (Put yourself in the
other's place.)
Genuineness - Answer -Characteristic of therapeutic communication - Be honest. Be
authentic
Concreteness and Confrontation - Answer -Characteristic of therapeutic communication -
Offer understandable responses to a client's questions or concerns. Construct messages in a
manner that is suitable for the patient. Conversely, if a patient is unable to express thoughts
clearly, be willing and able to request clarification or to ____________ the patient, as needed.
Active listening - Answer -Part of therapeutic communication
- The active listener focuses on the sender and attends to both verbal and non-verbal
communication. This requires full attention and the use of all senses. This type of comunication
begins conversations with open ended questions such as "What brings you to the hospital" and
seeks clarification through more direct (closed) and probing questions.
Establish Trust - Answer -Part of therapeutic communication
, -Good communication originates with a trusting relationship. Can be enhanced through the use
of active listening, honesty, and the provision of competent, compassionate care.
Be Assertive - Answer -Part of therapeutic communication
-Is the expression of beliefs or feelings without infringing on another's right.
- Make "I" statements
- State facts, avoid judgments
- Ask directly for what you need; don't make another guess as what
you want.
- Use body language (eye contact and speak clearly)
-____________ people look for win-win solutions. Some confuse being __________ with being
aggressive. An aggressive person looks for a win- lose solution.
-Commonly, nurses begin early in their career by being passive (not speaking up) and move over
time towards becoming passive-aggressive (quietly sabotage). Beware, don't fall prey to these
type behaviors.
Restate/Reflection - Answer -Part of therapeutic communication
- Use patient's own words to ask for the patient to elaborate.
Clarify - Answer -Part of therapeutic communication
- Use when a patient's words or messages are ambiguous or confusing. "Do I understand you
correctly when you say...."
Use silence - Answer -Part of therapeutic communication
-Very uncomfortable for most, but respectful and highly effective in promoting communication
Verbal communication - Answer -The conscious use of spoken or written word. Choice of
words can reflect age, education, developmental level, or culture.
Feelings can be expressed through the tone and pace of words. This means that the emotional
meaning of words are altered by how things are said. Nurses need to remember this important
message when giving or receiving information.
-The most effective messages consist of:
• Clearly selected wording
• The use of a few words, not dissertations
• Relevant information
• Appropriate timing
All Questions Answered Correct 2026-
2027 Updated.
Goal of therapeutic communication - Answer •to promote wellness and personal growth in
patients
Therapeutic communication - Answer is patient centered, purposeful, and time limited. This
differs from social communication which is casual and comfortable. In this kind of relationship,
the nurse recognizes the patient as a unique individual and establishes a goal to help the
patient. One does not form a social relationship with the patient, such as dating, confiding
personal information, etc.
Phases of the therapeutic relationship - Answer •Pre-interactive phase - Here the nurse
gathers information about the
patient prior to having direct contact.
• Orientation phase - The goal of this phase is to develop rapport and trust.
It begins with an introduction and ends when the relationship has been
defined.
• Working phase - During this phase, caring is communicated, thoughts and
feelings are expressed, mutual respect is maintained, and honest verbal and nonverbal
expression occurs. The key goal is to help the patient to clarify feelings and concerns. A
professional relationship is courteous, trustworthy, and confidential and accomplished by active
listening and the use of therapeutic communication techniques.
• Termination phase - concludes the relationship. This could occur at the end of a shift or
discharge from the facility, etc. Note that therapeutic relations have an end.
Pre-interactive phase - Answer -1st phase of the therapeutic relationship
- Here the nurse gathers information about the patient prior to having direct contact.
Orientation phase - Answer -2nd phase of the therapeutic relationship
- The goal of this phase is to develop rapport and trust. It begins with an introduction and ends
when the relationship has been
defined.
Working phase - Answer -3rd phase of the therapeutic relationship
- During this phase, caring is communicated, thoughts and
,feelings are expressed, mutual respect is maintained, and honest verbal and nonverbal
expression occurs. The key goal is to help the patient to clarify feelings and concerns. A
professional relationship is courteous, trustworthy, and confidential and accomplished by active
listening and the use of therapeutic communication techniques.
Termination phase - Answer -4th phase of the therapeutic relationship
- concludes the relationship. This could occur at the end of a shift or discharge from the facility,
etc. Note that therapeutic relations have an end.
Characteristics of Therapeutic Communication - Answer • Empathy - Empathy is the desire to
understand and be sensitive to the
feelings, beliefs and situations of another person (Put yourself in the
other's place.)
• Respect for the patient
• Genuineness - Be honest. Be authentic.
• Concreteness and Confrontation - Offer understandable responses to a client's questions or
concerns. Construct messages in a manner that is suitable for the patient. Conversely, if a
patient is unable to express thoughts clearly, be willing and able to request clarification or to
confront the patient, as needed.
Empathy - Answer -Characteristic of therapeutic communication
-Is the desire to understand and be sensitive to the feelings, beliefs and situations of another
person (Put yourself in the
other's place.)
Genuineness - Answer -Characteristic of therapeutic communication - Be honest. Be
authentic
Concreteness and Confrontation - Answer -Characteristic of therapeutic communication -
Offer understandable responses to a client's questions or concerns. Construct messages in a
manner that is suitable for the patient. Conversely, if a patient is unable to express thoughts
clearly, be willing and able to request clarification or to ____________ the patient, as needed.
Active listening - Answer -Part of therapeutic communication
- The active listener focuses on the sender and attends to both verbal and non-verbal
communication. This requires full attention and the use of all senses. This type of comunication
begins conversations with open ended questions such as "What brings you to the hospital" and
seeks clarification through more direct (closed) and probing questions.
Establish Trust - Answer -Part of therapeutic communication
, -Good communication originates with a trusting relationship. Can be enhanced through the use
of active listening, honesty, and the provision of competent, compassionate care.
Be Assertive - Answer -Part of therapeutic communication
-Is the expression of beliefs or feelings without infringing on another's right.
- Make "I" statements
- State facts, avoid judgments
- Ask directly for what you need; don't make another guess as what
you want.
- Use body language (eye contact and speak clearly)
-____________ people look for win-win solutions. Some confuse being __________ with being
aggressive. An aggressive person looks for a win- lose solution.
-Commonly, nurses begin early in their career by being passive (not speaking up) and move over
time towards becoming passive-aggressive (quietly sabotage). Beware, don't fall prey to these
type behaviors.
Restate/Reflection - Answer -Part of therapeutic communication
- Use patient's own words to ask for the patient to elaborate.
Clarify - Answer -Part of therapeutic communication
- Use when a patient's words or messages are ambiguous or confusing. "Do I understand you
correctly when you say...."
Use silence - Answer -Part of therapeutic communication
-Very uncomfortable for most, but respectful and highly effective in promoting communication
Verbal communication - Answer -The conscious use of spoken or written word. Choice of
words can reflect age, education, developmental level, or culture.
Feelings can be expressed through the tone and pace of words. This means that the emotional
meaning of words are altered by how things are said. Nurses need to remember this important
message when giving or receiving information.
-The most effective messages consist of:
• Clearly selected wording
• The use of a few words, not dissertations
• Relevant information
• Appropriate timing
