Therapeutic Communication Questions
and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026
| Correct & Verified
A nurse is caring for a client who is crying after receiving a new diagnosis. Which response by
the nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "You should stay strong and not cry in front of others."
✔✔ B. "It’s okay to cry. This is a lot to process."
C. "Let me get the doctor so you can ask more questions."
D. "You’ll feel better soon if you stop thinking about it."
A client says, "I feel like I’m a burden to my family." What is the nurse’s best response?
A. "Why do you think that way?"
B. "I’m sure your family doesn't feel that way."
✔✔ C. "Can you tell me more about why you feel like a burden?"
D. "Let’s focus on your recovery instead of those thoughts."
Which of the following is an example of using silence therapeutically?
A. Talking continuously to avoid awkward pauses
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,✔✔ B. Sitting quietly while the client reflects
C. Interrupting the client to provide reassurance
D. Filling every silence with questions
A nurse is using active listening during a client interaction. Which of the following behaviors
indicates active listening?
A. Crossing arms and tapping foot
B. Looking at the clock frequently
✔✔ C. Maintaining eye contact and nodding occasionally
D. Writing notes without looking up
A client says, "I don’t think I’ll ever get better." What is the most therapeutic response?
✔✔ A. "It sounds like you’re feeling hopeless right now."
B. "That’s not true, you’re getting better every day."
C. "You have to stay positive no matter what."
D. "Try not to think that way."
Which response demonstrates nontherapeutic communication?
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,A. "Tell me more about how you’re feeling today."
B. "What would you like to work on during our session?"
✔✔ C. "You should have taken your medications as directed."
D. "I’m here to listen if you want to talk."
A nurse uses clarification during communication. Which of the following is an example?
A. "Why did you do that?"
✔✔ B. "I want to make sure I understand—are you saying you feel scared at night?"
C. "I think you’re overreacting."
D. "Let’s not talk about that right now."
A client asks the nurse, "Do you think I should leave my partner?" What is the best therapeutic
response?
A. "Yes, if I were you, I’d leave."
B. "I can’t say. You know what’s best."
✔✔ C. "That’s a big decision. What are your thoughts about it?"
D. "You’ll feel better once you move on."
3
, A nurse is demonstrating empathy when saying:
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
✔✔ B. "It must be really difficult to go through this."
C. "This isn't the worst thing that could happen."
D. "Try not to worry so much."
Which of the following statements by a nurse promotes client autonomy?
A. "I’ll make this decision for you since it’s important."
✔✔ B. "You have the right to choose what treatment you prefer."
C. "You should do what the doctor says."
D. "I don’t think that’s the best idea, but it’s up to you."
A nurse is using the technique of restating. Which example reflects this?
A. "That’s interesting. Go on."
✔✔ B. Client: "I feel really tired." Nurse: "You feel really tired."
C. "Let’s talk about something else."
D. "You’re just tired because you don’t sleep enough."
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and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026
| Correct & Verified
A nurse is caring for a client who is crying after receiving a new diagnosis. Which response by
the nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "You should stay strong and not cry in front of others."
✔✔ B. "It’s okay to cry. This is a lot to process."
C. "Let me get the doctor so you can ask more questions."
D. "You’ll feel better soon if you stop thinking about it."
A client says, "I feel like I’m a burden to my family." What is the nurse’s best response?
A. "Why do you think that way?"
B. "I’m sure your family doesn't feel that way."
✔✔ C. "Can you tell me more about why you feel like a burden?"
D. "Let’s focus on your recovery instead of those thoughts."
Which of the following is an example of using silence therapeutically?
A. Talking continuously to avoid awkward pauses
1
,✔✔ B. Sitting quietly while the client reflects
C. Interrupting the client to provide reassurance
D. Filling every silence with questions
A nurse is using active listening during a client interaction. Which of the following behaviors
indicates active listening?
A. Crossing arms and tapping foot
B. Looking at the clock frequently
✔✔ C. Maintaining eye contact and nodding occasionally
D. Writing notes without looking up
A client says, "I don’t think I’ll ever get better." What is the most therapeutic response?
✔✔ A. "It sounds like you’re feeling hopeless right now."
B. "That’s not true, you’re getting better every day."
C. "You have to stay positive no matter what."
D. "Try not to think that way."
Which response demonstrates nontherapeutic communication?
2
,A. "Tell me more about how you’re feeling today."
B. "What would you like to work on during our session?"
✔✔ C. "You should have taken your medications as directed."
D. "I’m here to listen if you want to talk."
A nurse uses clarification during communication. Which of the following is an example?
A. "Why did you do that?"
✔✔ B. "I want to make sure I understand—are you saying you feel scared at night?"
C. "I think you’re overreacting."
D. "Let’s not talk about that right now."
A client asks the nurse, "Do you think I should leave my partner?" What is the best therapeutic
response?
A. "Yes, if I were you, I’d leave."
B. "I can’t say. You know what’s best."
✔✔ C. "That’s a big decision. What are your thoughts about it?"
D. "You’ll feel better once you move on."
3
, A nurse is demonstrating empathy when saying:
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
✔✔ B. "It must be really difficult to go through this."
C. "This isn't the worst thing that could happen."
D. "Try not to worry so much."
Which of the following statements by a nurse promotes client autonomy?
A. "I’ll make this decision for you since it’s important."
✔✔ B. "You have the right to choose what treatment you prefer."
C. "You should do what the doctor says."
D. "I don’t think that’s the best idea, but it’s up to you."
A nurse is using the technique of restating. Which example reflects this?
A. "That’s interesting. Go on."
✔✔ B. Client: "I feel really tired." Nurse: "You feel really tired."
C. "Let’s talk about something else."
D. "You’re just tired because you don’t sleep enough."
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