Ultimate Comprehensive Kaplan Psychiatric Nursing Exam
Prep: 200 A+ Graded, Fully Verified Questions with
Evidence-Based Rationales – Updated to 2025-2026
NCLEX Guidelines. All Core Domains: Therapeutic
Communication, Psychopharmacology, Safety, Personality
Disorders, Crisis Intervention, and Advanced Prioritization
for Students and Professionals.
SECTION 1: THERAPEUTIC
COMMUNICATION & FOUNDATIONS
Q1. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic
relationship with a client diagnosed with
major depressive disorder. Which
statement by the nurse reflects the most
appropriate therapeutic communication
technique?
A) "You should try to think more positively
about your situation."
,B) "Tell me more about what has been
troubling you."
C) "Everything will be fine if you just take
your medication."
D) "I understand exactly how you feel."
☑ VERIFIED ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: B — "Tell
me more about what has been troubling
you."
Rationale: This open-ended statement
encourages the client to express feelings
and promotes therapeutic communication.
Telling a client to think positively or that
everything will be fine is false reassurance.
"I understand exactly how you feel" is not
therapeutic because the nurse cannot truly
understand the client's unique experience.
,Q2. A nurse is caring for a client who is
withdrawn and refusing to speak. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Leave the client alone to respect their
privacy
B) Sit quietly with the client without
demanding conversation
C) Ask the client why they are not speaking
D) Encourage the client to participate in
group activities
☑ VERIFIED ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: B — Sit
quietly with the client without demanding
conversation.
Rationale: Sitting quietly with a withdrawn
client provides presence and support
without pressure. This demonstrates
acceptance and allows the client to initiate
, interaction when ready. Forcing
conversation can increase withdrawal and
anxiety.
Q3. A patient with major depressive
disorder states, "I might as well end it all
because nothing matters anyway." What is
the nurse's priority action?
A) Invite the patient to discuss feelings
about worthlessness
B) Assess the patient for immediate suicidal
ideation and plan
C) Administer the prescribed antidepressant
medication
D) Call a family member to come to the
hospital immediately
Prep: 200 A+ Graded, Fully Verified Questions with
Evidence-Based Rationales – Updated to 2025-2026
NCLEX Guidelines. All Core Domains: Therapeutic
Communication, Psychopharmacology, Safety, Personality
Disorders, Crisis Intervention, and Advanced Prioritization
for Students and Professionals.
SECTION 1: THERAPEUTIC
COMMUNICATION & FOUNDATIONS
Q1. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic
relationship with a client diagnosed with
major depressive disorder. Which
statement by the nurse reflects the most
appropriate therapeutic communication
technique?
A) "You should try to think more positively
about your situation."
,B) "Tell me more about what has been
troubling you."
C) "Everything will be fine if you just take
your medication."
D) "I understand exactly how you feel."
☑ VERIFIED ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: B — "Tell
me more about what has been troubling
you."
Rationale: This open-ended statement
encourages the client to express feelings
and promotes therapeutic communication.
Telling a client to think positively or that
everything will be fine is false reassurance.
"I understand exactly how you feel" is not
therapeutic because the nurse cannot truly
understand the client's unique experience.
,Q2. A nurse is caring for a client who is
withdrawn and refusing to speak. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Leave the client alone to respect their
privacy
B) Sit quietly with the client without
demanding conversation
C) Ask the client why they are not speaking
D) Encourage the client to participate in
group activities
☑ VERIFIED ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: B — Sit
quietly with the client without demanding
conversation.
Rationale: Sitting quietly with a withdrawn
client provides presence and support
without pressure. This demonstrates
acceptance and allows the client to initiate
, interaction when ready. Forcing
conversation can increase withdrawal and
anxiety.
Q3. A patient with major depressive
disorder states, "I might as well end it all
because nothing matters anyway." What is
the nurse's priority action?
A) Invite the patient to discuss feelings
about worthlessness
B) Assess the patient for immediate suicidal
ideation and plan
C) Administer the prescribed antidepressant
medication
D) Call a family member to come to the
hospital immediately
