,NUR 208 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Study
Guide & 150 Practice Questions Fortis College
2026/2027
1. A 28-year-old client admitted for major depressive disorder sits silently with arms crossed
during the initial assessment. The nurse says, "You seem quiet today." The client responds, "I
just don't feel like talking." Which therapeutic communication technique should the nurse use
next to encourage further interaction?
A. "Why don't you feel like talking right now?"
B. "I will sit with you quietly for a few minutes."
C. "You need to talk so we can help you feel better."
D. "Tell me about what happened that made you feel this way."
Correct Answer: B. "I will sit with you quietly for a few minutes."
Rationale: Sitting quietly with the client conveys acceptance and presence without pressure,
which is therapeutic when a client is withdrawn. Asking "why" can feel interrogative, directing
the client to talk is nontherapeutic, and probing for history too early may increase resistance.
2. During a one-to-one session, a client with borderline personality disorder states, "You are the
only nurse who understands me. The others are all against me." The nurse recognizes this as
splitting. Which response best maintains therapeutic boundaries?
,A. "I appreciate that, but the entire team is here to support you equally."
B. "You should not say negative things about the other nurses."
C. "I'm glad you feel that way; let's keep working together closely."
D. "Perhaps you should request a different primary nurse if you prefer."
Correct Answer: A. "I appreciate that, but the entire team is here to support you equally."
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's feeling while reinforcing the team approach prevents
collusion and maintains professional boundaries. Agreeing with the idealization or criticizing
staff would reinforce splitting.
3. A patient states, "I feel like nobody understands me and I'm better off alone." The nurse
responds, "It sounds as if you're feeling isolated and unsupported right now." This response is
an example of which therapeutic communication technique?
A. Giving advice to solve the patient's problem.
B. Restating and reflecting the patient's feelings to convey understanding.
C. Changing the subject to a more positive topic.
, D. Offering false reassurance that things will improve soon.
Correct Answer: B. Restating and reflecting the patient's feelings to convey understanding.
Rationale: Restating and reflecting demonstrate active listening and validate the patient's
emotional experience without imposing the nurse's own solutions or minimizing the concern.
4. During the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship, the primary goal is to:
A. Explore deep childhood conflicts and terminate the relationship.
B. Focus exclusively on medication education.
C. Establish trust, clarify roles and boundaries, and begin assessment of the patient's needs.
D. Confront the patient about maladaptive behaviors immediately.
Correct Answer: C. Establish trust, clarify roles and boundaries, and begin assessment of the
patient's needs.
Rationale: The orientation phase centers on building rapport, defining the purpose and limits of
the relationship, and gathering initial data. Deeper exploration and confrontation occur later
once trust is established.
Guide & 150 Practice Questions Fortis College
2026/2027
1. A 28-year-old client admitted for major depressive disorder sits silently with arms crossed
during the initial assessment. The nurse says, "You seem quiet today." The client responds, "I
just don't feel like talking." Which therapeutic communication technique should the nurse use
next to encourage further interaction?
A. "Why don't you feel like talking right now?"
B. "I will sit with you quietly for a few minutes."
C. "You need to talk so we can help you feel better."
D. "Tell me about what happened that made you feel this way."
Correct Answer: B. "I will sit with you quietly for a few minutes."
Rationale: Sitting quietly with the client conveys acceptance and presence without pressure,
which is therapeutic when a client is withdrawn. Asking "why" can feel interrogative, directing
the client to talk is nontherapeutic, and probing for history too early may increase resistance.
2. During a one-to-one session, a client with borderline personality disorder states, "You are the
only nurse who understands me. The others are all against me." The nurse recognizes this as
splitting. Which response best maintains therapeutic boundaries?
,A. "I appreciate that, but the entire team is here to support you equally."
B. "You should not say negative things about the other nurses."
C. "I'm glad you feel that way; let's keep working together closely."
D. "Perhaps you should request a different primary nurse if you prefer."
Correct Answer: A. "I appreciate that, but the entire team is here to support you equally."
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's feeling while reinforcing the team approach prevents
collusion and maintains professional boundaries. Agreeing with the idealization or criticizing
staff would reinforce splitting.
3. A patient states, "I feel like nobody understands me and I'm better off alone." The nurse
responds, "It sounds as if you're feeling isolated and unsupported right now." This response is
an example of which therapeutic communication technique?
A. Giving advice to solve the patient's problem.
B. Restating and reflecting the patient's feelings to convey understanding.
C. Changing the subject to a more positive topic.
, D. Offering false reassurance that things will improve soon.
Correct Answer: B. Restating and reflecting the patient's feelings to convey understanding.
Rationale: Restating and reflecting demonstrate active listening and validate the patient's
emotional experience without imposing the nurse's own solutions or minimizing the concern.
4. During the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship, the primary goal is to:
A. Explore deep childhood conflicts and terminate the relationship.
B. Focus exclusively on medication education.
C. Establish trust, clarify roles and boundaries, and begin assessment of the patient's needs.
D. Confront the patient about maladaptive behaviors immediately.
Correct Answer: C. Establish trust, clarify roles and boundaries, and begin assessment of the
patient's needs.
Rationale: The orientation phase centers on building rapport, defining the purpose and limits of
the relationship, and gathering initial data. Deeper exploration and confrontation occur later
once trust is established.
