,South College NSG 2510 Exam 2 | Mental Health Nursing
(2026) Q&A
1. A client on the psychiatric unit states, “I feel like no one cares whether I live or die.”
Which response by the nurse best demonstrates the therapeutic technique of offering self?
A) “Why do you think no one cares about you?”
B) “I care about you, and I will stay here with you for a while.”
C) “You should not say things like that.”
D) “Let’s talk about something more pleasant.”
Correct Answer: “I care about you, and I will stay here with you for a while.”
Rationale: Offering self involves communicating the nurse’s presence, availability, and
willingness to be with the client without placing demands on them. Staying with the client
directly conveys care and support. Asking “why” can feel probing, telling the client not to
say things is dismissive, and changing the subject avoids the client’s distress.
2. During a therapeutic interaction, a client says, “My mother never believed anything I told
her.” The nurse replies, “Your mother never believed you?” Which communication
technique is the nurse using?
A) Paraphrasing
B) Restating
C) Reflecting
D) Clarifying
Correct Answer: Restating
,Rationale: Restating involves repeating the main idea expressed by the client, often using
similar words, to confirm understanding and encourage elaboration. Paraphrasing uses
different words to capture meaning, reflecting directs feelings back to the client, and
clarifying seeks to make an unclear message more understandable.
3. A client with depression states, “I am completely worthless.” Which nurse response is
nontherapeutic because it provides false reassurance?
A) “You are feeling worthless right now. Tell me more.”
B) “Everything will be fine once your medication starts working.”
C) “It sounds like you are having a very difficult time.”
D) “Can you describe what makes you feel worthless?”
Correct Answer: “Everything will be fine once your medication starts working.”
Rationale: False reassurance dismisses the client’s feelings and closes off further
exploration of their concerns. Acknowledging the feeling, reflecting the emotional
experience, and asking open-ended questions are therapeutic because they validate the
client and encourage discussion.
4. A nurse asks a client, “Why did you stop taking your medication?” Why is this question
often considered nontherapeutic?
A) It is too open-ended for the client to answer.
B) It can make the client feel defensive and judged.
C) It provides false reassurance.
D) It changes the subject abruptly.
Correct Answer: It can make the client feel defensive and judged.
, Rationale: “Why” questions can imply blame and put the client on the defensive, which
may interfere with open communication. A more therapeutic approach is to explore
barriers without judgment, such as asking what got in the way of taking the medication.
5. A client repeatedly checks the door locks and stove before leaving home, feeling driven to
do so to prevent catastrophic events. Which term best describes this behavior?
A) Obsession
B) Compulsion
C) Delusion
D) Hallucination
Correct Answer: Compulsion
Rationale: A compulsion is a repetitive behavior or mental act performed in response to
an obsession or according to rigid rules, aimed at reducing anxiety. An obsession is an
intrusive thought, a delusion is a fixed false belief, and a hallucination is a sensory
perception without external stimulus.
6. Which defense mechanism is demonstrated when a client who is angry with their boss
comes home and yells at their partner?
A) Projection
B) Displacement
C) Rationalization
D) Regression
Correct Answer: Displacement
Rationale: Displacement involves redirecting pent-up emotions from a threatening target
to a less threatening one, such as expressing anger toward a partner instead of a boss.
(2026) Q&A
1. A client on the psychiatric unit states, “I feel like no one cares whether I live or die.”
Which response by the nurse best demonstrates the therapeutic technique of offering self?
A) “Why do you think no one cares about you?”
B) “I care about you, and I will stay here with you for a while.”
C) “You should not say things like that.”
D) “Let’s talk about something more pleasant.”
Correct Answer: “I care about you, and I will stay here with you for a while.”
Rationale: Offering self involves communicating the nurse’s presence, availability, and
willingness to be with the client without placing demands on them. Staying with the client
directly conveys care and support. Asking “why” can feel probing, telling the client not to
say things is dismissive, and changing the subject avoids the client’s distress.
2. During a therapeutic interaction, a client says, “My mother never believed anything I told
her.” The nurse replies, “Your mother never believed you?” Which communication
technique is the nurse using?
A) Paraphrasing
B) Restating
C) Reflecting
D) Clarifying
Correct Answer: Restating
,Rationale: Restating involves repeating the main idea expressed by the client, often using
similar words, to confirm understanding and encourage elaboration. Paraphrasing uses
different words to capture meaning, reflecting directs feelings back to the client, and
clarifying seeks to make an unclear message more understandable.
3. A client with depression states, “I am completely worthless.” Which nurse response is
nontherapeutic because it provides false reassurance?
A) “You are feeling worthless right now. Tell me more.”
B) “Everything will be fine once your medication starts working.”
C) “It sounds like you are having a very difficult time.”
D) “Can you describe what makes you feel worthless?”
Correct Answer: “Everything will be fine once your medication starts working.”
Rationale: False reassurance dismisses the client’s feelings and closes off further
exploration of their concerns. Acknowledging the feeling, reflecting the emotional
experience, and asking open-ended questions are therapeutic because they validate the
client and encourage discussion.
4. A nurse asks a client, “Why did you stop taking your medication?” Why is this question
often considered nontherapeutic?
A) It is too open-ended for the client to answer.
B) It can make the client feel defensive and judged.
C) It provides false reassurance.
D) It changes the subject abruptly.
Correct Answer: It can make the client feel defensive and judged.
, Rationale: “Why” questions can imply blame and put the client on the defensive, which
may interfere with open communication. A more therapeutic approach is to explore
barriers without judgment, such as asking what got in the way of taking the medication.
5. A client repeatedly checks the door locks and stove before leaving home, feeling driven to
do so to prevent catastrophic events. Which term best describes this behavior?
A) Obsession
B) Compulsion
C) Delusion
D) Hallucination
Correct Answer: Compulsion
Rationale: A compulsion is a repetitive behavior or mental act performed in response to
an obsession or according to rigid rules, aimed at reducing anxiety. An obsession is an
intrusive thought, a delusion is a fixed false belief, and a hallucination is a sensory
perception without external stimulus.
6. Which defense mechanism is demonstrated when a client who is angry with their boss
comes home and yells at their partner?
A) Projection
B) Displacement
C) Rationalization
D) Regression
Correct Answer: Displacement
Rationale: Displacement involves redirecting pent-up emotions from a threatening target
to a less threatening one, such as expressing anger toward a partner instead of a boss.
