Page 1 of 42
NURS 3209 COMMUNICATION — PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
NURS
Prepare for the NURS 3209 Communication Exam Practice with a focused study
resource designed to reinforce essential communication concepts in professional
nursing practice. It supports review of therapeutic communication, active listening,
nonverbal communication, interpersonal relationships, , nurse-patient relationships,
patient education, interprofessional communication, SBAR handoff, documentation,
confidentiality, and effective communication. This resource is best suited for NURS
3209 nursing students and healthcare learners preparing for communication and
holistic nursing assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION
(Questions 1–20)
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of therapeutic communication in nursing?
A) To control patient behavior
B) To establish a trusting nurse-patient relationship
C) To persuade patients to agree with the nurse
D) To prevent patients from asking questions
Answer: B) To establish a trusting nurse-patient relationship
Rationale: Therapeutic communication promotes trust, understanding,
emotional support, and effective care. It is not about controlling or
persuading patients but about building a therapeutic relationship that
supports healing and patient-centered care.
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Question 2:
Which communication technique is most appropriate when a nurse wants to
encourage a patient to continue describing a concern?
A) Changing the subject
B) Giving advice
C) Using an open-ended question
D) Offering false reassurance
Answer: C) Using an open-ended question
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to provide
information in their own words and promote therapeutic
communication. They allow patients to express their concerns fully
without feeling rushed or directed.
Question 3:
Which behavior demonstrates active listening?
A) Interrupting the patient
B) Looking at the patient's phone
C) Maintaining appropriate eye contact
D) Completing documentation while the patient speaks
Answer: C) Maintaining appropriate eye contact
Rationale: Appropriate eye contact, attentive posture, and minimizing
distractions demonstrate active listening. Active listening requires full
presence and attention to the patient without interruptions or
distractions.
Question 4:
Which statement is an example of therapeutic silence?
A) "You need to calm down."
B) The nurse remains quietly present while the patient gathers thoughts.
C) "I know exactly how you feel."
D) "Let's talk about something else."
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Answer: B) The nurse remains quietly present while the patient gathers
thoughts.
Rationale: Therapeutic silence gives patients time to think, process
emotions, and continue when ready. It demonstrates respect for the
patient's need to reflect without pressure.
Question 5:
Which statement best describes holistic nursing care?
A) Focusing primarily on the patient's physical symptoms
B) Treating the disease before considering other patient concerns
C) Addressing the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and psychological
dimensions of the person
D) Allowing family members to make all healthcare decisions
Answer: C) Addressing the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and
psychological dimensions of the person
Rationale: Holistic nursing considers the whole person and recognizes
that multiple dimensions of health influence well-being and healing.
Question 6:
Which nursing action best demonstrates therapeutic presence?
A) Completing documentation while the patient talks
B) Being fully attentive and emotionally available to the patient
C) Changing the subject when the patient expresses fear
D) Providing advice before listening to the patient's concerns
Answer: B) Being fully attentive and emotionally available to the patient
Rationale: Therapeutic presence involves intentional attention, active
listening, and being genuinely present with the patient.
Question 7:
A patient says, "I am really frightened about my surgery." Which response by
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the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) "There is nothing to worry about."
B) "Why are you frightened?"
C) "Tell me more about what concerns you."
D) "Everyone gets nervous before surgery."
Answer: C) "Tell me more about what concerns you."
Rationale: This response acknowledges the patient's feelings and
encourages further expression without judgment. It validates the patient's
emotions and invites exploration of specific concerns.
Question 8:
What is the primary purpose of active listening?
A) To persuade the patient to accept treatment
B) To finish the interview quickly
C) To encourage honest communication and participation in care
D) To allow the nurse to make decisions without consent
Answer: C) To encourage honest communication and participation in care
Rationale: Active listening encourages honest communication and
participation in care. It builds trust and strengthens the therapeutic
nurse-patient relationship.
Question 9:
In the communication process, the person who transmits the message is the:
A) Receiver
B) Driver
C) Sender
D) Consultant
Answer: C) Sender
NURS 3209 COMMUNICATION — PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
NURS
Prepare for the NURS 3209 Communication Exam Practice with a focused study
resource designed to reinforce essential communication concepts in professional
nursing practice. It supports review of therapeutic communication, active listening,
nonverbal communication, interpersonal relationships, , nurse-patient relationships,
patient education, interprofessional communication, SBAR handoff, documentation,
confidentiality, and effective communication. This resource is best suited for NURS
3209 nursing students and healthcare learners preparing for communication and
holistic nursing assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION
(Questions 1–20)
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of therapeutic communication in nursing?
A) To control patient behavior
B) To establish a trusting nurse-patient relationship
C) To persuade patients to agree with the nurse
D) To prevent patients from asking questions
Answer: B) To establish a trusting nurse-patient relationship
Rationale: Therapeutic communication promotes trust, understanding,
emotional support, and effective care. It is not about controlling or
persuading patients but about building a therapeutic relationship that
supports healing and patient-centered care.
, Page 2 of 42
Question 2:
Which communication technique is most appropriate when a nurse wants to
encourage a patient to continue describing a concern?
A) Changing the subject
B) Giving advice
C) Using an open-ended question
D) Offering false reassurance
Answer: C) Using an open-ended question
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to provide
information in their own words and promote therapeutic
communication. They allow patients to express their concerns fully
without feeling rushed or directed.
Question 3:
Which behavior demonstrates active listening?
A) Interrupting the patient
B) Looking at the patient's phone
C) Maintaining appropriate eye contact
D) Completing documentation while the patient speaks
Answer: C) Maintaining appropriate eye contact
Rationale: Appropriate eye contact, attentive posture, and minimizing
distractions demonstrate active listening. Active listening requires full
presence and attention to the patient without interruptions or
distractions.
Question 4:
Which statement is an example of therapeutic silence?
A) "You need to calm down."
B) The nurse remains quietly present while the patient gathers thoughts.
C) "I know exactly how you feel."
D) "Let's talk about something else."
, Page 3 of 42
Answer: B) The nurse remains quietly present while the patient gathers
thoughts.
Rationale: Therapeutic silence gives patients time to think, process
emotions, and continue when ready. It demonstrates respect for the
patient's need to reflect without pressure.
Question 5:
Which statement best describes holistic nursing care?
A) Focusing primarily on the patient's physical symptoms
B) Treating the disease before considering other patient concerns
C) Addressing the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and psychological
dimensions of the person
D) Allowing family members to make all healthcare decisions
Answer: C) Addressing the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and
psychological dimensions of the person
Rationale: Holistic nursing considers the whole person and recognizes
that multiple dimensions of health influence well-being and healing.
Question 6:
Which nursing action best demonstrates therapeutic presence?
A) Completing documentation while the patient talks
B) Being fully attentive and emotionally available to the patient
C) Changing the subject when the patient expresses fear
D) Providing advice before listening to the patient's concerns
Answer: B) Being fully attentive and emotionally available to the patient
Rationale: Therapeutic presence involves intentional attention, active
listening, and being genuinely present with the patient.
Question 7:
A patient says, "I am really frightened about my surgery." Which response by
, Page 4 of 42
the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) "There is nothing to worry about."
B) "Why are you frightened?"
C) "Tell me more about what concerns you."
D) "Everyone gets nervous before surgery."
Answer: C) "Tell me more about what concerns you."
Rationale: This response acknowledges the patient's feelings and
encourages further expression without judgment. It validates the patient's
emotions and invites exploration of specific concerns.
Question 8:
What is the primary purpose of active listening?
A) To persuade the patient to accept treatment
B) To finish the interview quickly
C) To encourage honest communication and participation in care
D) To allow the nurse to make decisions without consent
Answer: C) To encourage honest communication and participation in care
Rationale: Active listening encourages honest communication and
participation in care. It builds trust and strengthens the therapeutic
nurse-patient relationship.
Question 9:
In the communication process, the person who transmits the message is the:
A) Receiver
B) Driver
C) Sender
D) Consultant
Answer: C) Sender
