Nursing Fundamentals 2026 Therapeutic
Communication Practice Questions & Rationales:
Active Listening, Patient Education, Conflict
Management, Professional Communication & Clinical
Nursing Review
SECTION 1: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION CORE PRINCIPLES
(Questions 1–30)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who is crying after receiving bad news. Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
B. "I'm here with you. Would you like to talk about what you're feeling?"
C. "You should be strong for your family."
D. "Let's focus on something more positive."
Rationale: Therapeutic communication encourages the patient to express feelings
without judgment. Offering presence and inviting the patient to share is supportive
and patient-centered.
Question 2
A nurse is using active listening. Which behavior demonstrates this skill?
A. Interrupting the patient to ask questions
B. Maintaining eye contact, nodding, and allowing the patient to speak
without interruption
C. Looking at the computer while the patient speaks
D. Changing the subject when the patient becomes emotional
,Rationale: Active listening includes eye contact, nodding, and allowing the patient
to speak without interruption, demonstrating respect and attention.
Question 3
A patient says, "I don't know if I can go through with this surgery." Which
response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You'll be fine; the surgeon is the best."
B. "Tell me more about what's worrying you."
C. "You have to do it for your health."
D. "Everyone feels that way before surgery."
Rationale: Encouraging the patient to elaborate on concerns is therapeutic and
allows the nurse to address specific fears.
Question 4
A nurse is communicating with a patient who is angry. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Defend the hospital's policies
B. Remain calm and listen to the patient's concerns
C. Leave the room immediately
D. Tell the patient to calm down
Rationale: Remaining calm and listening allows the patient to express feelings and
helps de-escalate the situation.
Question 5
Which statement by the nurse demonstrates empathy?
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
B. "It sounds like this has been very difficult for you."
,C. "You shouldn't feel that way."
D. "At least you have your family."
Rationale: Empathy involves recognizing and acknowledging the patient's feelings
without claiming to share the same experience.
Question 6
A nurse is using the SOLER technique for active listening. What does the "E"
stand for?
A. Empathy
B. Eye contact
C. Evaluation
D. Explanation
Rationale: SOLER stands for Sit squarely, Open posture, Lean forward, Eye
contact, and Relax.
Question 7
A patient states, "I feel like a burden to my family." Which response is most
therapeutic?
A. "You shouldn't feel that way."
B. "Can you tell me more about what makes you feel like a burden?"
C. "Your family loves you."
D. "Let's talk about something else."
Rationale: Exploring the patient's feelings encourages expression and helps the
nurse understand the patient's perspective.
, Question 8
A nurse is communicating with a patient who speaks limited English. Which action
is most appropriate?
A. Speak loudly and slowly
B. Use a professional medical interpreter
C. Ask a family member to interpret
D. Use gestures only
Rationale: Professional medical interpreters ensure accurate communication and
confidentiality. Family members may misinterpret or filter information.
Question 9
A nurse is providing patient education. Which action demonstrates the teach-back
method?
A. Asking the patient if they understand
B. Asking the patient to repeat instructions in their own words
C. Providing written instructions only
D. Using medical terminology
Rationale: Teach-back confirms understanding by having the patient demonstrate
or explain the information.
Question 10
A patient says, "I'm afraid I might die during surgery." Which response by the
nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "That won't happen."
B. "Tell me more about your fears."
C. "You're being dramatic."
D. "The surgeon will take care of you."
Rationale: Encouraging the patient to express fears is therapeutic and allows the
nurse to provide support.
Communication Practice Questions & Rationales:
Active Listening, Patient Education, Conflict
Management, Professional Communication & Clinical
Nursing Review
SECTION 1: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION CORE PRINCIPLES
(Questions 1–30)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who is crying after receiving bad news. Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
B. "I'm here with you. Would you like to talk about what you're feeling?"
C. "You should be strong for your family."
D. "Let's focus on something more positive."
Rationale: Therapeutic communication encourages the patient to express feelings
without judgment. Offering presence and inviting the patient to share is supportive
and patient-centered.
Question 2
A nurse is using active listening. Which behavior demonstrates this skill?
A. Interrupting the patient to ask questions
B. Maintaining eye contact, nodding, and allowing the patient to speak
without interruption
C. Looking at the computer while the patient speaks
D. Changing the subject when the patient becomes emotional
,Rationale: Active listening includes eye contact, nodding, and allowing the patient
to speak without interruption, demonstrating respect and attention.
Question 3
A patient says, "I don't know if I can go through with this surgery." Which
response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You'll be fine; the surgeon is the best."
B. "Tell me more about what's worrying you."
C. "You have to do it for your health."
D. "Everyone feels that way before surgery."
Rationale: Encouraging the patient to elaborate on concerns is therapeutic and
allows the nurse to address specific fears.
Question 4
A nurse is communicating with a patient who is angry. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Defend the hospital's policies
B. Remain calm and listen to the patient's concerns
C. Leave the room immediately
D. Tell the patient to calm down
Rationale: Remaining calm and listening allows the patient to express feelings and
helps de-escalate the situation.
Question 5
Which statement by the nurse demonstrates empathy?
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
B. "It sounds like this has been very difficult for you."
,C. "You shouldn't feel that way."
D. "At least you have your family."
Rationale: Empathy involves recognizing and acknowledging the patient's feelings
without claiming to share the same experience.
Question 6
A nurse is using the SOLER technique for active listening. What does the "E"
stand for?
A. Empathy
B. Eye contact
C. Evaluation
D. Explanation
Rationale: SOLER stands for Sit squarely, Open posture, Lean forward, Eye
contact, and Relax.
Question 7
A patient states, "I feel like a burden to my family." Which response is most
therapeutic?
A. "You shouldn't feel that way."
B. "Can you tell me more about what makes you feel like a burden?"
C. "Your family loves you."
D. "Let's talk about something else."
Rationale: Exploring the patient's feelings encourages expression and helps the
nurse understand the patient's perspective.
, Question 8
A nurse is communicating with a patient who speaks limited English. Which action
is most appropriate?
A. Speak loudly and slowly
B. Use a professional medical interpreter
C. Ask a family member to interpret
D. Use gestures only
Rationale: Professional medical interpreters ensure accurate communication and
confidentiality. Family members may misinterpret or filter information.
Question 9
A nurse is providing patient education. Which action demonstrates the teach-back
method?
A. Asking the patient if they understand
B. Asking the patient to repeat instructions in their own words
C. Providing written instructions only
D. Using medical terminology
Rationale: Teach-back confirms understanding by having the patient demonstrate
or explain the information.
Question 10
A patient says, "I'm afraid I might die during surgery." Which response by the
nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "That won't happen."
B. "Tell me more about your fears."
C. "You're being dramatic."
D. "The surgeon will take care of you."
Rationale: Encouraging the patient to express fears is therapeutic and allows the
nurse to provide support.
