NCLEX questions therapeutic communication
With Complete Solutions
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." Correct Answers C
The most appropriate response by the nurse is,
"Let's discuss and explore all of your options." In
this example, the nurse is encouraging the client to
formulate ideas and decide independently the
appropriate course of action.
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?" Correct Answers B
The nurse's statement, "What would you like to talk
about?" is an example of the therapeutic
communication technique of giving broad
openings. Using a broad opening allows the client
to take the initiative in introducing the topic and
emphasizes the importance of the client's role in
the interaction.
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." Correct Answers A
This is an example of the therapeutic
communication technique of verbalizing the
implied. Verbalizing the implied puts into words
what the client has only implied or said indirectly.
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."
Correct Answers C
This nursing statement is an example of the
therapeutic communication technique of reflection.
When reflection is used, questions and feelings are
referred back to the client so that they may be
recognized and accepted.
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 Correct
Answers B
, This is an example of the therapeutic
communication technique of verbalizing the
implied. The nurse is putting into words what the
client has only implied by words or actions. Denial
is the refusal of the client to acknowledge the
existence of a real situation, the feelings
associated with it, or both.
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." Correct Answers D
This is an example of the therapeutic
communication technique of exploring. The
purpose of using exploring is to delve further into
the subject, idea, experience, or relationship. This
technique is especially helpful with clients who
tend to remain on a superficial level of
communication.
A client tells the nurse, "I feel bad because my
mother does not want me to return home after I
With Complete Solutions
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." Correct Answers C
The most appropriate response by the nurse is,
"Let's discuss and explore all of your options." In
this example, the nurse is encouraging the client to
formulate ideas and decide independently the
appropriate course of action.
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?" Correct Answers B
The nurse's statement, "What would you like to talk
about?" is an example of the therapeutic
communication technique of giving broad
openings. Using a broad opening allows the client
to take the initiative in introducing the topic and
emphasizes the importance of the client's role in
the interaction.
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." Correct Answers A
This is an example of the therapeutic
communication technique of verbalizing the
implied. Verbalizing the implied puts into words
what the client has only implied or said indirectly.
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."
Correct Answers C
This nursing statement is an example of the
therapeutic communication technique of reflection.
When reflection is used, questions and feelings are
referred back to the client so that they may be
recognized and accepted.
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 Correct
Answers B
, This is an example of the therapeutic
communication technique of verbalizing the
implied. The nurse is putting into words what the
client has only implied by words or actions. Denial
is the refusal of the client to acknowledge the
existence of a real situation, the feelings
associated with it, or both.
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." Correct Answers D
This is an example of the therapeutic
communication technique of exploring. The
purpose of using exploring is to delve further into
the subject, idea, experience, or relationship. This
technique is especially helpful with clients who
tend to remain on a superficial level of
communication.
A client tells the nurse, "I feel bad because my
mother does not want me to return home after I
