1
,NUR 253 (Exams 1–4 Study guide) Complete Study
guide Bundle | Galen College (PDF)
Question 1
A nursing student is studying the concept of a "therapeutic
alliance." Which action by the nurse best promotes this
alliance?
A. Giving direct advice to solve the patient's problems
quickly
B. Establishing mutual trust, respect, and collaboration
with the patient
C. Maintaining a casual social friendship with the patient
outside of sessions
D. Avoiding all discussions of negative emotions to keep
the mood light
The correct answer is B
Rationale: A therapeutic alliance is a professional,
collaborative relationship built on trust and respect.
Giving advice (A) promotes dependency, social
2
,friendships (C) are boundary violations, and avoiding
negative feelings (D) blocks therapeutic progress.
Question 2
A patient tells the nurse, "I feel like nobody in this world
cares if I live or die." Which response by the nurse is the
best example of the therapeutic technique of "reflection"?
A. "You feel that nobody cares about you?"
B. "Why do you think you feel that people don't care?"
C. "Nobody cares?"
D. "Let's focus on your family; they care about you."
The correct answer is C
Rationale: Reflection involves repeating the patient's
exact words or a key phrase to encourage elaboration.
(A) is paraphrasing, (B) uses "why" which can sound
accusatory, and (D) changes the subject.
3
, Question 3 k
A patient with major depression says, "I'm completely
k k k k k k k
k worthless. I can't do anything right at all." The nurse
k k k k k k k k k
responds, "You were able to get out of bed, shower, and get
k k k k k k k k k k k k
dressed by yourself this morning." This is an example of
k k k k k k k k k k
which therapeutic communication technique?
k k k k
A. False reassurance k
B. Verbalizing the implied k k
C. Giving approval k
D. Defensive communication k
The correct answer is B
k k k k k
Rationale: Verbalizing the implied means stating the
k k k k k k
k positive opposite of the patient's negative claim using
k k k k k k k
k observable facts. False reassurance (A) would be "Don't
k k k k k k k
k worry,you'llbe fine." Givingapproval(C)judgesthe
k k k k k k k k
behaviorasgood.
k k k
4
,NUR 253 (Exams 1–4 Study guide) Complete Study
guide Bundle | Galen College (PDF)
Question 1
A nursing student is studying the concept of a "therapeutic
alliance." Which action by the nurse best promotes this
alliance?
A. Giving direct advice to solve the patient's problems
quickly
B. Establishing mutual trust, respect, and collaboration
with the patient
C. Maintaining a casual social friendship with the patient
outside of sessions
D. Avoiding all discussions of negative emotions to keep
the mood light
The correct answer is B
Rationale: A therapeutic alliance is a professional,
collaborative relationship built on trust and respect.
Giving advice (A) promotes dependency, social
2
,friendships (C) are boundary violations, and avoiding
negative feelings (D) blocks therapeutic progress.
Question 2
A patient tells the nurse, "I feel like nobody in this world
cares if I live or die." Which response by the nurse is the
best example of the therapeutic technique of "reflection"?
A. "You feel that nobody cares about you?"
B. "Why do you think you feel that people don't care?"
C. "Nobody cares?"
D. "Let's focus on your family; they care about you."
The correct answer is C
Rationale: Reflection involves repeating the patient's
exact words or a key phrase to encourage elaboration.
(A) is paraphrasing, (B) uses "why" which can sound
accusatory, and (D) changes the subject.
3
, Question 3 k
A patient with major depression says, "I'm completely
k k k k k k k
k worthless. I can't do anything right at all." The nurse
k k k k k k k k k
responds, "You were able to get out of bed, shower, and get
k k k k k k k k k k k k
dressed by yourself this morning." This is an example of
k k k k k k k k k k
which therapeutic communication technique?
k k k k
A. False reassurance k
B. Verbalizing the implied k k
C. Giving approval k
D. Defensive communication k
The correct answer is B
k k k k k
Rationale: Verbalizing the implied means stating the
k k k k k k
k positive opposite of the patient's negative claim using
k k k k k k k
k observable facts. False reassurance (A) would be "Don't
k k k k k k k
k worry,you'llbe fine." Givingapproval(C)judgesthe
k k k k k k k k
behaviorasgood.
k k k
4
