Exam 1 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing practice questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_g2r0xf
1. A patient says to the nurse, ANS: D
"I dreamed I was stoned. When The technique of clarification is thera-
I woke up, I felt emotionally peutic and helps the nurse examine the
drained, as though I hadn't rest- meaning of the patient's statement. Ask-
ed well." Which response should ing for a definition of "stoned" direct-
the nurse use to clarify the pa- ly asks for clarification. Restating that
tient's comment? the patient is uncomfortable with the
a. "It sounds as though you were dream's content is parroting, a non-ther-
uncomfortable with the content apeutic technique. The other responses
of your dream." fail to clarify the meaning of the patient's
b. "I understand what you're say- comment.
ing. Bad dreams leave me feeling
tired, too."
c. "So you feel as though you did
not get enough quality sleep last
night?"
d. "Can you give me an example
of what you mean by 'stoned'?"
2. A patient diagnosed with schizo- ANS: B
phrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA It is important not to challenge the pa-
is monitoring us through the flu- tient's beliefs, even if they are unrealistic.
orescent lights in this room. Be Challenging undermines the patient's
careful what you say." Which re- trust in the nurse. The nurse should try
sponse by the nurse would be to understand the underlying feelings or
most therapeutic? thoughts the patient's message conveys.
a. "Let's talk about something The correct response uses the thera-
other than the CIA." peutic technique of reflection. The other
b. "It sounds like you're con- comments are non-therapeutic. Asking
cerned about your privacy." to talk about something other than the
c. "The CIA is prohibited from op- concern at hand is changing the subject.
erating in health care facilities." Saying that the CIA is prohibited from
d. "You have lost touch with real- operating in health care facilities gives
ity, which is a symptom of your false reassurance. Stating that the pa-
illness." tient has lost touch with reality is truthful,
but uncompassionate.
3. The patient says, "My marriage ANS: B
is just great. My spouse and I al- Mixed messages involve the transmis-
, Exam 1 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing practice questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_g2r0xf
ways agree." The nurse observes sion of conflicting or incongruent mes-
the patient's foot moving con- sages by the speaker. The patient's ver-
tinuously as the patient twirls a bal message that all was well in the re-
shirt button. The conclusion the lationship was modified by the nonver-
nurse can draw is that the pa- bal behaviors denoting anxiety. Data are
tient's communication is: not present to support the choice of the
a. clear. verbal message being clear, explicit, or
b. mixed. inadequate.
c. precise.
d. inadequate.
4. A nurse interacts with a newly ANS: D
hospitalized patient. Select the "Offering self" is a technique that should
nurse's comment that applies the be used in the orientation phase of the
communication technique of "of- nurse-patient relationship. Sitting with
fering self." the patient, an example of "offering self,"
a. "I've also had traumatic life ex- helps to build trust and convey that the
periences. Maybe it would help if nurse cares about the patient. Two in-
I told you about them." correct responses are ineffective and
b. "Why do you think you had so non-therapeutic. The other incorrect re-
much difficulty adjusting to this sponse is therapeutic but is an example
change in your life?" of "offering hope."
c. "I hope you will feel better after
getting accustomed to how this
unit operates."
d. "I'd like to sit with you for a
while to help you get comfortable
talking to me."
5. Which technique will best com- ANS: A
municate to a patient that the Restating allows the patient to validate
nurse is interested in listening? the nurse's understanding of what has
a. Restating a feeling or thought been communicated. Restating is an
the patient has expressed. active listening technique. Judgments
b. Asking a direct question, such should be suspended in a nurse-pa-
as "Did you feel angry?" tient relationship. Close-ended ques-
c. Making a judgment about the tions such as "Did you feel angry?" ask
patient's problem. for specific information rather than show-
ing understanding. When the nurse sim-
, Exam 1 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing practice questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_g2r0xf
d. Saying, "I understand what ply states that he or she understands the
you're saying." patient's words, the patient has no way
of measuring the understanding.
6. A patient discloses several con- ANS: C
cerns and associated feelings. If Asking, "Am I correct in understand-
the nurse wants to seek clarifi- ing that..." permits clarification to en-
cation, which comment would be sure that both the nurse and patient
appropriate? share mutual understanding of the com-
a. "What are the common ele- munication. Asking about common el-
ments here?" ements encourages comparison rather
b. "Tell me again about your ex- than clarification. The remaining re-
periences." sponses are implied questions that sug-
c. "Am I correct in understanding gest the nurse was not listening.
that . . ."
d. "Tell me everything from the
beginning."
7. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't ANS: C
think I'll ever get out of here." Se- By asking if the patient does not believe
lect the nurse's most therapeutic that progress has been made, the nurse
response. is reflecting by putting into words what
a. "Don't talk that way. Of course the patient is hinting. By making commu-
you will leave here!" nication more explicit, issues are easier
b. "Keep up the good work, and to identify and resolve. The remaining
you certainly will." options are non-therapeutic techniques.
c. "You don't think you're making Telling the patient not to "talk that way"
progress?" is disapproving. Saying that everyone
d. "Everyone feels that way feels that way at times minimizes feel-
sometimes." ings. Telling the patient that good work
will always result in success is falsely
reassuring.
8. Documentation in a patient's ANS: C
chart shows, "Throughout a When a verbal message is not re-
5-minute interaction, patient fid- inforced with nonverbal behavior, the
geted and tapped left foot, peri- message is confusing and incongruent.
odically covered face with hands, Some clinicians call it a "mixed mes-
and looked under chair while sage." It is inaccurate to say that the
, Exam 1 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing practice questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_g2r0xf
stating, 'I enjoy spending time patient is giving positive feedback about
with you.'" Which analysis is the nurse's communication techniques.
most accurate? The concept of a cultural filter is not rel-
a. The patient is giving positive evant to the situation because a cultural
feedback about the nurse's com- filter determines what we will pay atten-
munication techniques. tion to and what we will ignore. Data are
b. The nurse is viewing the pa- insufficient to draw the conclusion that
tient's behavior through a cultur- the patient is demonstrating psychotic
al filter. behaviors.
c. The patient's verbal and non-
verbal messages are incongru-
ent.
d. The patient is demonstrating
psychotic behaviors.
9. While talking with a patient diag- ANS: A
nosed with major depression, a Eye contact and body movements are
nurse notices the patient is un- considered nonverbal communication.
able to maintain eye contact. The There are insufficient data to determine
patient's chin lowers to the chest, the level of the patient's social skills or
while the patient looks at the whether a cultural barrier exists.
floor. Which aspect of communi-
cation has the nurse assessed?
a. Nonverbal communication
b. A message filter
c. A cultural barrier
d. Social skills
10. During the first interview with a ANS: B
parent whose child died in a car Touch has various cultural and individ-
accident, the nurse feels empath- ual interpretations. Nurses should re-
ic and reaches out to take the frain from using touch until an assess-
patient's hand. Select the correct ment can be made regarding the way
analysis of the nurse's behavior. in which the patient will perceive touch.
a. It shows empathy and compas- The other options present prematurely
sion. It will encourage the patient drawn conclusions.
to continue to express feelings.
b. The gesture is premature. The
patient's cultural and individual
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_g2r0xf
1. A patient says to the nurse, ANS: D
"I dreamed I was stoned. When The technique of clarification is thera-
I woke up, I felt emotionally peutic and helps the nurse examine the
drained, as though I hadn't rest- meaning of the patient's statement. Ask-
ed well." Which response should ing for a definition of "stoned" direct-
the nurse use to clarify the pa- ly asks for clarification. Restating that
tient's comment? the patient is uncomfortable with the
a. "It sounds as though you were dream's content is parroting, a non-ther-
uncomfortable with the content apeutic technique. The other responses
of your dream." fail to clarify the meaning of the patient's
b. "I understand what you're say- comment.
ing. Bad dreams leave me feeling
tired, too."
c. "So you feel as though you did
not get enough quality sleep last
night?"
d. "Can you give me an example
of what you mean by 'stoned'?"
2. A patient diagnosed with schizo- ANS: B
phrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA It is important not to challenge the pa-
is monitoring us through the flu- tient's beliefs, even if they are unrealistic.
orescent lights in this room. Be Challenging undermines the patient's
careful what you say." Which re- trust in the nurse. The nurse should try
sponse by the nurse would be to understand the underlying feelings or
most therapeutic? thoughts the patient's message conveys.
a. "Let's talk about something The correct response uses the thera-
other than the CIA." peutic technique of reflection. The other
b. "It sounds like you're con- comments are non-therapeutic. Asking
cerned about your privacy." to talk about something other than the
c. "The CIA is prohibited from op- concern at hand is changing the subject.
erating in health care facilities." Saying that the CIA is prohibited from
d. "You have lost touch with real- operating in health care facilities gives
ity, which is a symptom of your false reassurance. Stating that the pa-
illness." tient has lost touch with reality is truthful,
but uncompassionate.
3. The patient says, "My marriage ANS: B
is just great. My spouse and I al- Mixed messages involve the transmis-
, Exam 1 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing practice questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_g2r0xf
ways agree." The nurse observes sion of conflicting or incongruent mes-
the patient's foot moving con- sages by the speaker. The patient's ver-
tinuously as the patient twirls a bal message that all was well in the re-
shirt button. The conclusion the lationship was modified by the nonver-
nurse can draw is that the pa- bal behaviors denoting anxiety. Data are
tient's communication is: not present to support the choice of the
a. clear. verbal message being clear, explicit, or
b. mixed. inadequate.
c. precise.
d. inadequate.
4. A nurse interacts with a newly ANS: D
hospitalized patient. Select the "Offering self" is a technique that should
nurse's comment that applies the be used in the orientation phase of the
communication technique of "of- nurse-patient relationship. Sitting with
fering self." the patient, an example of "offering self,"
a. "I've also had traumatic life ex- helps to build trust and convey that the
periences. Maybe it would help if nurse cares about the patient. Two in-
I told you about them." correct responses are ineffective and
b. "Why do you think you had so non-therapeutic. The other incorrect re-
much difficulty adjusting to this sponse is therapeutic but is an example
change in your life?" of "offering hope."
c. "I hope you will feel better after
getting accustomed to how this
unit operates."
d. "I'd like to sit with you for a
while to help you get comfortable
talking to me."
5. Which technique will best com- ANS: A
municate to a patient that the Restating allows the patient to validate
nurse is interested in listening? the nurse's understanding of what has
a. Restating a feeling or thought been communicated. Restating is an
the patient has expressed. active listening technique. Judgments
b. Asking a direct question, such should be suspended in a nurse-pa-
as "Did you feel angry?" tient relationship. Close-ended ques-
c. Making a judgment about the tions such as "Did you feel angry?" ask
patient's problem. for specific information rather than show-
ing understanding. When the nurse sim-
, Exam 1 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing practice questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_g2r0xf
d. Saying, "I understand what ply states that he or she understands the
you're saying." patient's words, the patient has no way
of measuring the understanding.
6. A patient discloses several con- ANS: C
cerns and associated feelings. If Asking, "Am I correct in understand-
the nurse wants to seek clarifi- ing that..." permits clarification to en-
cation, which comment would be sure that both the nurse and patient
appropriate? share mutual understanding of the com-
a. "What are the common ele- munication. Asking about common el-
ments here?" ements encourages comparison rather
b. "Tell me again about your ex- than clarification. The remaining re-
periences." sponses are implied questions that sug-
c. "Am I correct in understanding gest the nurse was not listening.
that . . ."
d. "Tell me everything from the
beginning."
7. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't ANS: C
think I'll ever get out of here." Se- By asking if the patient does not believe
lect the nurse's most therapeutic that progress has been made, the nurse
response. is reflecting by putting into words what
a. "Don't talk that way. Of course the patient is hinting. By making commu-
you will leave here!" nication more explicit, issues are easier
b. "Keep up the good work, and to identify and resolve. The remaining
you certainly will." options are non-therapeutic techniques.
c. "You don't think you're making Telling the patient not to "talk that way"
progress?" is disapproving. Saying that everyone
d. "Everyone feels that way feels that way at times minimizes feel-
sometimes." ings. Telling the patient that good work
will always result in success is falsely
reassuring.
8. Documentation in a patient's ANS: C
chart shows, "Throughout a When a verbal message is not re-
5-minute interaction, patient fid- inforced with nonverbal behavior, the
geted and tapped left foot, peri- message is confusing and incongruent.
odically covered face with hands, Some clinicians call it a "mixed mes-
and looked under chair while sage." It is inaccurate to say that the
, Exam 1 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing practice questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_g2r0xf
stating, 'I enjoy spending time patient is giving positive feedback about
with you.'" Which analysis is the nurse's communication techniques.
most accurate? The concept of a cultural filter is not rel-
a. The patient is giving positive evant to the situation because a cultural
feedback about the nurse's com- filter determines what we will pay atten-
munication techniques. tion to and what we will ignore. Data are
b. The nurse is viewing the pa- insufficient to draw the conclusion that
tient's behavior through a cultur- the patient is demonstrating psychotic
al filter. behaviors.
c. The patient's verbal and non-
verbal messages are incongru-
ent.
d. The patient is demonstrating
psychotic behaviors.
9. While talking with a patient diag- ANS: A
nosed with major depression, a Eye contact and body movements are
nurse notices the patient is un- considered nonverbal communication.
able to maintain eye contact. The There are insufficient data to determine
patient's chin lowers to the chest, the level of the patient's social skills or
while the patient looks at the whether a cultural barrier exists.
floor. Which aspect of communi-
cation has the nurse assessed?
a. Nonverbal communication
b. A message filter
c. A cultural barrier
d. Social skills
10. During the first interview with a ANS: B
parent whose child died in a car Touch has various cultural and individ-
accident, the nurse feels empath- ual interpretations. Nurses should re-
ic and reaches out to take the frain from using touch until an assess-
patient's hand. Select the correct ment can be made regarding the way
analysis of the nurse's behavior. in which the patient will perceive touch.
a. It shows empathy and compas- The other options present prematurely
sion. It will encourage the patient drawn conclusions.
to continue to express feelings.
b. The gesture is premature. The
patient's cultural and individual
