A client diagnosed with dependant personality disorder states, "Do you think I should
move from my parent's house and get a job?" Which nursing response is most
appropriate?
A "It would be best to do that in order to increase independence."
B "Why would you want to leave a secure home?"
C "Let's discuss and explore all of your options."
D "I'm afraid you would feel very guilty leaving your parents." - ans"Let's discuss and
explore all of your options."
A client diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder is admitted to an inpatient
psychiatric unit for evaluation and medication stabilization. Which therapeutic
communication technique used by the nurse is an example of a broad opening?
A "What occurred prior to the rape, and when did you go to the emergency
department?"
B "What would you like to talk about?"
C "I notice you seem uncomfortable discussing this."
D "How can we help you feel safe during your stay here?" - ans"What would you like to
talk about?"
A client is struggling to explore and solve a problem. Which nursing statement would
verbalize the implication of the client's actions?
A "You seem to be motivated to change your behavior."
B "How will these changes affect your family relationships?"
C "Why don't you make a list of the behaviors you need to change."
D "The team recommends that you make only one behavioral change at a time." -
ans"You seem to be motivated to change your behavior."
A client on an inpatient psychiatric unit tells the nurse, "I should have died because I am
totally worthless." In order to encourage the client to continue talking about feelings,
which should be the nurse's initial response?
A "How would your family feel if you died?"
B "You feel worthless now, but that can change with time."
C "You've been feeling sad and alone for some time now?"
D "It is great that you have come in for help." - ans"You've been feeling sad and alone
for some time now?"
A client slammed a door on the unit several times. The nurse responds, "You seem
angry." The client states, "I'm not angry." What therapeutic communication technique
has the nurse employed and what defense mechanism is the client unconsciously
demonstrating?
,A Making observations and the defense mechanism of suppression
B Verbalizing the implied and the defense mechanism of denial
C Reflection and the defense mechanism of projection
D Encouraging descriptions of perceptions and the defense mechanism of displacement
- ansVerbalizing the implied and the defense mechanism of denial
A client states, "You won't believe what my husband said to me during visiting hours. He
has no right treating me that way." Which nursing response would best assess the
situation that occurred?
A "Does your husband treat you like this very often?"
B "What do you think is your role in this relationship?"
C "Why do you think he behaved like that?"
D "Describe what happened during your time with your husband." - ans"Describe what
happened during your time with your husband."
A client states: "I refuse to shower in this room. I must be very cautious. The FBI has
placed a camera in here to monitor my every move." Which of the following is the
therapeutic response?
a. "That's not true."
b. I have a hard time believing that is true."
c. "Surely you don't really believe that."
d. "I will help you search this room so that you can see there is no camera." - ansI have
a hard time believing that is true."
A client tells the nurse, "I feel bad because my mother does not want me to return home
after I leave the hospital." Which nursing response is therapeutic?
A "It's quite common for clients to feel that way after a lengthy hospitalization."
B "Why don't you talk to your mother? You may find out she doesn't feel that way."
C "Your mother seems like an understanding person. I'll help you approach her."
D "You feel that your mother does not want you to come back home?" - ans"You feel
that your mother does not want you to come back home?"
A client who frequently exhibits angry outbursts is diagnosed with antisocial personality
disorder. Which appropriate feedback should a nurse provide when this client
experiences an angry outburst?
A "Why do you continue to alienate your peers by your angry outbursts?"
B "You accomplish nothing when you lose your temper like that."
C "Showing your anger in that manner is very childish and insensitive."
D "During group, you raised your voice, yelled at a peer, left, and slammed the door." -
ans"During group, you raised your voice, yelled at a peer, left, and slammed the door."
,A client with a history of major depression tells the nurse "I wish I weren't alive. I have
been a failure my entire life and I am totally useless to anyone." The most therapeutic
response to the client is:
A "You've been feeling like a failure your entire life?"
B "You shouldn't talk like that. You're not a failure."
C "Once the antidepressants start working you will feel better about yourself."
D "Things could be worse. You should be grateful for what you have." - ans"You've
been feeling like a failure your entire life?"
A client's younger daughter is ignoring curfew. The client states, "I'm afraid she will get
pregnant." The nurse responds, "Hang in there. Don't you think she has a lot to learn
about life?" This is an example of which communication block?
A Requesting an explanation
B Belittling the client
C Making stereotyped comments
D Probing - ansMaking stereotyped comments
A mother rescues two of her four children from a house fire. In the emergency
department, she cries, "I should have gone back in to get them. I should have died, not
them." What is the nurse's best response?
A "The smoke was too thick. You couldn't have gone back in."
B "You're feeling guilty because you weren't able to save your children."
C "Focus on the fact that you could have lost all four of your children."
D "It's best if you try not to think about what happened. Try to move on." - ans"You're
feeling guilty because you weren't able to save your children."
A newly admitted client diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) washes
hands continually. This behavior prevents unit activity attendance. Which nursing
statement best addresses this situation?
A "Everyone diagnosed with OCD needs to control their ritualistic behaviors."
B "It is important for you to discontinue these ritualistic behaviors."
C "Why are you asking for help if you won't participate in unit therapy?"
D "Let's figure out a way for you to attend unit activities and still wash your hands." -
ans"Let's figure out a way for you to attend unit activities and still wash your hands."
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia for the presence of
hallucinations. Which therapeutic communication technique used by the nurse is an
example of making observations?
A "You appear to be talking to someone I do not see."
B "Please describe what you are seeing."
C "Why do you continually look in the corner of this room?"
, D "If you hum a tune, the voices may not be so distracting." - ans"You appear to be
talking to someone I do not see."
A nurse is working with a potentially threatening patient. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
1 Speaking clearly and slightly louder so the patient does not need the nurse to repeat
what was said.
2 Positioning himself or herself near the exit of the room to prevent being blocked by the
patient.
3 Bringing in other team members so the patient knows there are others to help him or
her gain control.
4 Asking the patient which comfort measures he or she uses when he or she becomes
out of control. - ansPositioning himself or herself near the exit of the room to prevent
being blocked by the patient.
A nurse is working with an older adult with a cognitive impairment who is having a
tantrum and acting hostile toward other patients in the dayroom. Which approach by the
nurse is most appropriate to handle this situation?
1 Asking three other staff members to help put the patient back to bed
2 Using the patient's favorite crackers to distract him from the other patients
3 Explaining to the patient how he will benefit by behaving better
4 Asking the family how they managed the tantrums while the patient was still living at
home - ansUsing the patient's favorite crackers to distract him from the other patients
A nurse maintains an uncrossed arm and leg posture. This nonverbal behavior is
reflective of which letter of the SOLER acronym for active listening?
AS
BO
CL
DE
E R - ansO
A nurse states to a client, "Things will look better tomorrow after a good night's sleep."
This is an example of which communication technique?
A The therapeutic technique of "giving advice"
B The therapeutic technique of "defending"
move from my parent's house and get a job?" Which nursing response is most
appropriate?
A "It would be best to do that in order to increase independence."
B "Why would you want to leave a secure home?"
C "Let's discuss and explore all of your options."
D "I'm afraid you would feel very guilty leaving your parents." - ans"Let's discuss and
explore all of your options."
A client diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder is admitted to an inpatient
psychiatric unit for evaluation and medication stabilization. Which therapeutic
communication technique used by the nurse is an example of a broad opening?
A "What occurred prior to the rape, and when did you go to the emergency
department?"
B "What would you like to talk about?"
C "I notice you seem uncomfortable discussing this."
D "How can we help you feel safe during your stay here?" - ans"What would you like to
talk about?"
A client is struggling to explore and solve a problem. Which nursing statement would
verbalize the implication of the client's actions?
A "You seem to be motivated to change your behavior."
B "How will these changes affect your family relationships?"
C "Why don't you make a list of the behaviors you need to change."
D "The team recommends that you make only one behavioral change at a time." -
ans"You seem to be motivated to change your behavior."
A client on an inpatient psychiatric unit tells the nurse, "I should have died because I am
totally worthless." In order to encourage the client to continue talking about feelings,
which should be the nurse's initial response?
A "How would your family feel if you died?"
B "You feel worthless now, but that can change with time."
C "You've been feeling sad and alone for some time now?"
D "It is great that you have come in for help." - ans"You've been feeling sad and alone
for some time now?"
A client slammed a door on the unit several times. The nurse responds, "You seem
angry." The client states, "I'm not angry." What therapeutic communication technique
has the nurse employed and what defense mechanism is the client unconsciously
demonstrating?
,A Making observations and the defense mechanism of suppression
B Verbalizing the implied and the defense mechanism of denial
C Reflection and the defense mechanism of projection
D Encouraging descriptions of perceptions and the defense mechanism of displacement
- ansVerbalizing the implied and the defense mechanism of denial
A client states, "You won't believe what my husband said to me during visiting hours. He
has no right treating me that way." Which nursing response would best assess the
situation that occurred?
A "Does your husband treat you like this very often?"
B "What do you think is your role in this relationship?"
C "Why do you think he behaved like that?"
D "Describe what happened during your time with your husband." - ans"Describe what
happened during your time with your husband."
A client states: "I refuse to shower in this room. I must be very cautious. The FBI has
placed a camera in here to monitor my every move." Which of the following is the
therapeutic response?
a. "That's not true."
b. I have a hard time believing that is true."
c. "Surely you don't really believe that."
d. "I will help you search this room so that you can see there is no camera." - ansI have
a hard time believing that is true."
A client tells the nurse, "I feel bad because my mother does not want me to return home
after I leave the hospital." Which nursing response is therapeutic?
A "It's quite common for clients to feel that way after a lengthy hospitalization."
B "Why don't you talk to your mother? You may find out she doesn't feel that way."
C "Your mother seems like an understanding person. I'll help you approach her."
D "You feel that your mother does not want you to come back home?" - ans"You feel
that your mother does not want you to come back home?"
A client who frequently exhibits angry outbursts is diagnosed with antisocial personality
disorder. Which appropriate feedback should a nurse provide when this client
experiences an angry outburst?
A "Why do you continue to alienate your peers by your angry outbursts?"
B "You accomplish nothing when you lose your temper like that."
C "Showing your anger in that manner is very childish and insensitive."
D "During group, you raised your voice, yelled at a peer, left, and slammed the door." -
ans"During group, you raised your voice, yelled at a peer, left, and slammed the door."
,A client with a history of major depression tells the nurse "I wish I weren't alive. I have
been a failure my entire life and I am totally useless to anyone." The most therapeutic
response to the client is:
A "You've been feeling like a failure your entire life?"
B "You shouldn't talk like that. You're not a failure."
C "Once the antidepressants start working you will feel better about yourself."
D "Things could be worse. You should be grateful for what you have." - ans"You've
been feeling like a failure your entire life?"
A client's younger daughter is ignoring curfew. The client states, "I'm afraid she will get
pregnant." The nurse responds, "Hang in there. Don't you think she has a lot to learn
about life?" This is an example of which communication block?
A Requesting an explanation
B Belittling the client
C Making stereotyped comments
D Probing - ansMaking stereotyped comments
A mother rescues two of her four children from a house fire. In the emergency
department, she cries, "I should have gone back in to get them. I should have died, not
them." What is the nurse's best response?
A "The smoke was too thick. You couldn't have gone back in."
B "You're feeling guilty because you weren't able to save your children."
C "Focus on the fact that you could have lost all four of your children."
D "It's best if you try not to think about what happened. Try to move on." - ans"You're
feeling guilty because you weren't able to save your children."
A newly admitted client diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) washes
hands continually. This behavior prevents unit activity attendance. Which nursing
statement best addresses this situation?
A "Everyone diagnosed with OCD needs to control their ritualistic behaviors."
B "It is important for you to discontinue these ritualistic behaviors."
C "Why are you asking for help if you won't participate in unit therapy?"
D "Let's figure out a way for you to attend unit activities and still wash your hands." -
ans"Let's figure out a way for you to attend unit activities and still wash your hands."
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia for the presence of
hallucinations. Which therapeutic communication technique used by the nurse is an
example of making observations?
A "You appear to be talking to someone I do not see."
B "Please describe what you are seeing."
C "Why do you continually look in the corner of this room?"
, D "If you hum a tune, the voices may not be so distracting." - ans"You appear to be
talking to someone I do not see."
A nurse is working with a potentially threatening patient. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
1 Speaking clearly and slightly louder so the patient does not need the nurse to repeat
what was said.
2 Positioning himself or herself near the exit of the room to prevent being blocked by the
patient.
3 Bringing in other team members so the patient knows there are others to help him or
her gain control.
4 Asking the patient which comfort measures he or she uses when he or she becomes
out of control. - ansPositioning himself or herself near the exit of the room to prevent
being blocked by the patient.
A nurse is working with an older adult with a cognitive impairment who is having a
tantrum and acting hostile toward other patients in the dayroom. Which approach by the
nurse is most appropriate to handle this situation?
1 Asking three other staff members to help put the patient back to bed
2 Using the patient's favorite crackers to distract him from the other patients
3 Explaining to the patient how he will benefit by behaving better
4 Asking the family how they managed the tantrums while the patient was still living at
home - ansUsing the patient's favorite crackers to distract him from the other patients
A nurse maintains an uncrossed arm and leg posture. This nonverbal behavior is
reflective of which letter of the SOLER acronym for active listening?
AS
BO
CL
DE
E R - ansO
A nurse states to a client, "Things will look better tomorrow after a good night's sleep."
This is an example of which communication technique?
A The therapeutic technique of "giving advice"
B The therapeutic technique of "defending"
