,NSG 3450 Exam 1 | Nursing Practice – Mental Health
(2026/2027) PDF | Galen
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of therapeutic
communication in mental health nursing?
A) To gather information for the medical record
B) To establish a trusting relationship and promote client expression
C) To provide advice and solutions to the client's problems
D) To assess the client's cognitive functioning
Correct Answer: To establish a trusting relationship and promote client
expression
Rationale: Therapeutic communication is a purposeful, client-centered
interaction that uses techniques such as active listening, empathy, and open-
ended questions to build trust and encourage the client to explore feelings and
concerns. It is not primarily for documentation, giving advice, or cognitive
assessment, although these may occur within the therapeutic relationship.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute anxiety. Which
communication technique should the nurse use?
A) Asking multiple questions to gather comprehensive data
B) Using short, simple sentences and a calm, quiet voice
C) Encouraging the client to make a list of their fears
D) Providing detailed explanations of the anxiety disorder
,Correct Answer: Using short, simple sentences and a calm, quiet voice
Rationale: A client with acute anxiety has a narrowed perceptual field and
difficulty processing information. Short, simple sentences and a calm, quiet
voice reduce stimulation and promote safety. Asking multiple questions,
encouraging list-making, or providing detailed explanations can overwhelm the
client.
3. What is the primary purpose of the mental status examination (MSE)?
A) To diagnose psychiatric disorders based on DSM-5 criteria
B) To systematically assess a client's cognitive and emotional functioning
C) To determine the client's need for involuntary commitment
D) To evaluate the effectiveness of psychotropic medications
Correct Answer: To systematically assess a client's cognitive and emotional
functioning
Rationale: The MSE is a structured assessment tool used to evaluate
appearance, behavior, mood, affect, thought process, thought content,
cognition, and insight. It provides a snapshot of the client's current mental state
but does not diagnose disorders or determine commitment needs, though
findings may inform those decisions.
4. A nurse is assessing a client's judgment. Which question is most appropriate?
, A) "Can you tell me the date and where you are right now?"
B) "What would you do if you found a stamped, addressed envelope on the
ground?"
C) "Can you repeat these three words: apple, table, penny?"
D) "Who is the current president of the United States?"
Correct Answer: "What would you do if you found a stamped, addressed
envelope on the ground?"
Rationale: Judgment is assessed by asking the client to solve a hypothetical
problem or make a decision about a real-life situation. The question about the
stamped envelope assesses judgment. Orientation is assessed by asking about
date and place, memory by repeating words, and general knowledge by naming
the president.
5. Which of the following is an example of a nontherapeutic communication
technique?
A) Using silence to allow the client time to reflect
B) Giving false reassurance such as "Everything will be fine"
C) Reflecting the client's feelings back to them
D) Asking open-ended questions to encourage elaboration
Correct Answer: Giving false reassurance such as "Everything will be fine"
Rationale: False reassurance minimizes the client's feelings and can block
further expression of concerns. It is a nontherapeutic technique. Silence,
(2026/2027) PDF | Galen
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of therapeutic
communication in mental health nursing?
A) To gather information for the medical record
B) To establish a trusting relationship and promote client expression
C) To provide advice and solutions to the client's problems
D) To assess the client's cognitive functioning
Correct Answer: To establish a trusting relationship and promote client
expression
Rationale: Therapeutic communication is a purposeful, client-centered
interaction that uses techniques such as active listening, empathy, and open-
ended questions to build trust and encourage the client to explore feelings and
concerns. It is not primarily for documentation, giving advice, or cognitive
assessment, although these may occur within the therapeutic relationship.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute anxiety. Which
communication technique should the nurse use?
A) Asking multiple questions to gather comprehensive data
B) Using short, simple sentences and a calm, quiet voice
C) Encouraging the client to make a list of their fears
D) Providing detailed explanations of the anxiety disorder
,Correct Answer: Using short, simple sentences and a calm, quiet voice
Rationale: A client with acute anxiety has a narrowed perceptual field and
difficulty processing information. Short, simple sentences and a calm, quiet
voice reduce stimulation and promote safety. Asking multiple questions,
encouraging list-making, or providing detailed explanations can overwhelm the
client.
3. What is the primary purpose of the mental status examination (MSE)?
A) To diagnose psychiatric disorders based on DSM-5 criteria
B) To systematically assess a client's cognitive and emotional functioning
C) To determine the client's need for involuntary commitment
D) To evaluate the effectiveness of psychotropic medications
Correct Answer: To systematically assess a client's cognitive and emotional
functioning
Rationale: The MSE is a structured assessment tool used to evaluate
appearance, behavior, mood, affect, thought process, thought content,
cognition, and insight. It provides a snapshot of the client's current mental state
but does not diagnose disorders or determine commitment needs, though
findings may inform those decisions.
4. A nurse is assessing a client's judgment. Which question is most appropriate?
, A) "Can you tell me the date and where you are right now?"
B) "What would you do if you found a stamped, addressed envelope on the
ground?"
C) "Can you repeat these three words: apple, table, penny?"
D) "Who is the current president of the United States?"
Correct Answer: "What would you do if you found a stamped, addressed
envelope on the ground?"
Rationale: Judgment is assessed by asking the client to solve a hypothetical
problem or make a decision about a real-life situation. The question about the
stamped envelope assesses judgment. Orientation is assessed by asking about
date and place, memory by repeating words, and general knowledge by naming
the president.
5. Which of the following is an example of a nontherapeutic communication
technique?
A) Using silence to allow the client time to reflect
B) Giving false reassurance such as "Everything will be fine"
C) Reflecting the client's feelings back to them
D) Asking open-ended questions to encourage elaboration
Correct Answer: Giving false reassurance such as "Everything will be fine"
Rationale: False reassurance minimizes the client's feelings and can block
further expression of concerns. It is a nontherapeutic technique. Silence,
