HESI Therapeutic Communication
Exam (2026 Edition)|| Questions And
Answers With Rationales/Graded
A+/2026 Update/100% Correct
/Instant Download
Section 1: Fundamental Concepts (Questions 1–20)
1. The nurse tells a client, “Tell me more about how you’ve been feeling
lately.” This is an example of which therapeutic communication technique?
A) Validation
B) Focusing
C) Exploring
D) Reflecting
Rationale: Exploring encourages the client to elaborate on a topic. Focusing
narrows a topic; reflecting echoes feelings.
2. A client states, “I don’t think I’ll ever get better.” Which response by the
nurse demonstrates empathy?
A) “You’ve only been here 2 days; give it time.”
B) “That’s a common feeling, but many people recover.”
C) “It sounds very discouraging to feel that way.”
D) “Why do you feel you won’t get better?”
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges the client’s feeling without judgment. “Why”
questions can seem accusatory.
,3. A client says, “My family never visits.” The nurse replies, “They never
visit?” This is an example of:
A) Paraphrasing
B) Restating
C) Clarifying
D) Summarizing
Rationale: Restating repeats the client’s exact words to encourage elaboration.
4. Which non-verbal behavior best conveys active listening?
A) Writing notes while the client speaks
B) Maintaining fixed eye contact without blinking
C) Sitting with arms crossed and legs crossed
D) Leaning slightly forward while nodding occasionally
Rationale: Open posture and head nods show engagement. Fixed stare or crossed
arms create distance.
5. A nurse tells a client, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.” This is an
example of:
A) False reassurance
B) Positive reframing
C) Acceptance
D) Encouraging
Rationale: False reassurance dismisses the client’s real concerns and is non-
therapeutic.
6. A client angrily states, “You never listen to me!” Which response reflects
therapeutic use of confrontation?
A) “That’s not true; I listen carefully.”
B) “You seem upset. Let’s change the subject.”
C) “Why would you say that?”
D) “I hear your frustration. Help me understand what I missed.”
Rationale: Gentle confrontation invites clarification without defensiveness.
7. Which statement by the nurse is an example of a therapeutic open-ended
question?
A) “What has been on your mind today?”
B) “Are you feeling sad?”
, C) “Did you take your medication?”
D) “Is the pain better?”
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage narrative. Yes/no questions limit
response.
8. A client states, “I want to die.” The nurse’s priority response should be:
A) “You don’t really mean that.”
B) “Let’s talk about something positive.”
C) “It sounds like you’re feeling hopeless. Are you thinking of hurting
yourself?”
D) “I’ll call your doctor.”
Rationale: Direct assessment of suicidal ideation is mandatory and therapeutic.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is silent for a prolonged period. The best
action is:
A) Sit quietly with the client
B) Say, “Why aren’t you talking?”
C) Leave the room to give privacy
D) Start discussing daily activities
Rationale: Silent presence respects the client’s need for reflection and is
therapeutic when not prolonged.
10. A client says, “The voices tell me I’m worthless.” The nurse responds,
“The voices you hear are part of your illness.” This is:
A) Invalidating
B) Reality orientation
C) Challenging
D) Sympathy
Rationale: Gently stating reality without arguing helps ground the client.
11. Which action violates therapeutic boundaries?
A) Accepting a small handmade card from a client
B) Giving a client a ride home after discharge
C) Calling a client by their preferred name
D) Sharing that the nurse also has a dog
Rationale: Giving a ride creates dual relationship and dependency.
Exam (2026 Edition)|| Questions And
Answers With Rationales/Graded
A+/2026 Update/100% Correct
/Instant Download
Section 1: Fundamental Concepts (Questions 1–20)
1. The nurse tells a client, “Tell me more about how you’ve been feeling
lately.” This is an example of which therapeutic communication technique?
A) Validation
B) Focusing
C) Exploring
D) Reflecting
Rationale: Exploring encourages the client to elaborate on a topic. Focusing
narrows a topic; reflecting echoes feelings.
2. A client states, “I don’t think I’ll ever get better.” Which response by the
nurse demonstrates empathy?
A) “You’ve only been here 2 days; give it time.”
B) “That’s a common feeling, but many people recover.”
C) “It sounds very discouraging to feel that way.”
D) “Why do you feel you won’t get better?”
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges the client’s feeling without judgment. “Why”
questions can seem accusatory.
,3. A client says, “My family never visits.” The nurse replies, “They never
visit?” This is an example of:
A) Paraphrasing
B) Restating
C) Clarifying
D) Summarizing
Rationale: Restating repeats the client’s exact words to encourage elaboration.
4. Which non-verbal behavior best conveys active listening?
A) Writing notes while the client speaks
B) Maintaining fixed eye contact without blinking
C) Sitting with arms crossed and legs crossed
D) Leaning slightly forward while nodding occasionally
Rationale: Open posture and head nods show engagement. Fixed stare or crossed
arms create distance.
5. A nurse tells a client, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.” This is an
example of:
A) False reassurance
B) Positive reframing
C) Acceptance
D) Encouraging
Rationale: False reassurance dismisses the client’s real concerns and is non-
therapeutic.
6. A client angrily states, “You never listen to me!” Which response reflects
therapeutic use of confrontation?
A) “That’s not true; I listen carefully.”
B) “You seem upset. Let’s change the subject.”
C) “Why would you say that?”
D) “I hear your frustration. Help me understand what I missed.”
Rationale: Gentle confrontation invites clarification without defensiveness.
7. Which statement by the nurse is an example of a therapeutic open-ended
question?
A) “What has been on your mind today?”
B) “Are you feeling sad?”
, C) “Did you take your medication?”
D) “Is the pain better?”
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage narrative. Yes/no questions limit
response.
8. A client states, “I want to die.” The nurse’s priority response should be:
A) “You don’t really mean that.”
B) “Let’s talk about something positive.”
C) “It sounds like you’re feeling hopeless. Are you thinking of hurting
yourself?”
D) “I’ll call your doctor.”
Rationale: Direct assessment of suicidal ideation is mandatory and therapeutic.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is silent for a prolonged period. The best
action is:
A) Sit quietly with the client
B) Say, “Why aren’t you talking?”
C) Leave the room to give privacy
D) Start discussing daily activities
Rationale: Silent presence respects the client’s need for reflection and is
therapeutic when not prolonged.
10. A client says, “The voices tell me I’m worthless.” The nurse responds,
“The voices you hear are part of your illness.” This is:
A) Invalidating
B) Reality orientation
C) Challenging
D) Sympathy
Rationale: Gently stating reality without arguing helps ground the client.
11. Which action violates therapeutic boundaries?
A) Accepting a small handmade card from a client
B) Giving a client a ride home after discharge
C) Calling a client by their preferred name
D) Sharing that the nurse also has a dog
Rationale: Giving a ride creates dual relationship and dependency.
