EXAM 1 - PSYCHIATRIC/MENTAL
HEALTH NURSING
1. A client says to the caregiver, "I dreamed I was stoned. When I woke up, I felt emotionally
drained, as though I hadn't rested well." Which response should the caregiver use to clarify the
client's comment?
A. "It sounds as though you were uncomfortable with the content of your dream."
B. "I understand what you're saying. Bad dreams leave me feeling tired, too."
C. "So you feel as though you did not get enough quality sleep last night?"
D. "Can you give me an example of what you mean by 'stoned'?"
✅ Correct Answer: D
2. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the caregiver, "The CIA is monitoring us through
the fluorescent lights in this room. Be careful what you say." Which response by the caregiver
would be most therapeutic?
A. "Let's talk about something other than the CIA."
B. "It sounds like you're concerned about your privacy."
C. "The CIA is prohibited from operating in health care facilities."
D. "You have lost touch with reality, which is a symptom of your illness."
✅ Correct Answer: B
3. The client says, "My marriage is just great. My spouse and I always agree." The caregiver
observes the client's foot moving continuously as the client twirls a shirt button. The conclusion
the caregiver can draw is that the client's communication is:
A. Clear
B. Mixed
C. Precise
D. Inadequate
✅ Correct Answer: B
4. A caregiver interacts with a newly hospitalized client. Select the caregiver's comment that
applies the communication technique of "offering self."
A. "I've also had traumatic life experiences. Maybe it would help if I told you about them."
B. "Why do you think you had so much difficulty adjusting to this change in your life?"
C. "I hope you will feel better after getting accustomed to how this unit operates."
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,D. "I'd like to sit with you for a while to help you get comfortable talking to me."
✅ Correct Answer: D
5. Which technique will best communicate to a client that the caregiver is interested in listening?
A. Restating a feeling or thought the client has expressed
B. Asking a direct question, such as "Did you feel angry?"
C. Making a judgment about the client's problem
D. Saying, "I understand what you're saying."
✅ Correct Answer: A
6. A client discloses several concerns and associated feelings. If the caregiver wants to seek
clarification, which comment would be appropriate?
A. "What are the common elements here?"
B. "Tell me again about your experiences."
C. "Am I correct in understanding that . . ."
D. "Tell me everything from the beginning."
✅ Correct Answer: C
7. A client tells the caregiver, "I don't think I'll ever get out of here." Select the caregiver's most
therapeutic response.
A. "Don't talk that way. Of course you will leave here!"
B. "Keep up the good work, and you certainly will."
C. "You don't think you're making progress?"
D. "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
✅ Correct Answer: C
8. Documentation in a client's chart shows, "Throughout a 5-minute interaction, client fidgeted
and tapped left foot, periodically covered face with hands, and looked under chair while stating,
'I enjoy spending time with you.'" Which analysis is most accurate?
A. The client is giving positive feedback about the caregiver's communication techniques.
B. The caregiver is viewing the client's behavior through a cultural filter.
C. The client's verbal and nonverbal messages are incongruent.
D. The client is demonstrating psychotic behaviors.
✅ Correct Answer: C
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,9. While talking with a client diagnosed with major depression, a caregiver notices the client is
unable to maintain eye contact. The client's chin lowers to the chest, while the client looks at the
floor. Which aspect of communication has the caregiver assessed?
A. Nonverbal communication
B. A message filter
C. A cultural barrier
D. Social skills
✅ Correct Answer: A
10. During the first interview with a parent whose child died in a car accident, the caregiver feels
empathic and reaches out to take the client's hand. Select the correct analysis of the caregiver's
behavior.
A. It shows empathy and compassion. It will encourage the client to continue to express feelings.
B. The gesture is premature. The client's cultural and individual interpretation of touch is
unknown.
C. The client will perceive the gesture as intrusive and overstepping boundaries.
D. The action is inappropriate. Psychiatric clients should not be touched.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Q11.
A client says to the caregiver, “I dreamed I was stoned. When I woke up, I felt emotionally
drained, as though I hadn't rested well.”
Which response should the caregiver use to clarify the client's comment?
a. "It sounds as though you were uncomfortable with the content of your dream."
b. "I understand what you're saying. Bad dreams leave me feeling tired, too."
c. "So you feel as though you did not get enough quality sleep last night?"
d. "Can you give me an example of what you mean by 'stoned'?"
✅ Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Asking for a definition of “stoned” directly seeks clarification — a therapeutic
communication technique.
Q12.
A client diagnosed with schizophrenia says, “The CIA is monitoring us through the fluorescent
lights in this room. Be careful what you say.”
Which response by the caregiver is most therapeutic?
a. "Let's talk about something other than the CIA."
b. "It sounds like you're concerned about your privacy."
c. "The CIA is prohibited from operating in health care facilities."
d. "You have lost touch with reality, which is a symptom of your illness."
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, ✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Reflecting feelings acknowledges the client’s concern without challenging the
delusion.
Q13.
The client says, “My marriage is just great. My spouse and I always agree.”
The caregiver observes the client fidgeting and twirling a shirt button. What is the best
conclusion?
a. The communication is clear.
b. The communication is mixed.
c. The communication is precise.
d. The communication is inadequate.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The verbal message conflicts with nonverbal behavior, indicating mixed messages.
Q14.
A caregiver interacts with a newly hospitalized client. Which comment applies the
communication technique of offering self?
a. "I've also had traumatic experiences. Maybe I should tell you about them."
b. "Why do you think you had so much difficulty adjusting to this change?"
c. "I hope you will feel better after getting accustomed to how this unit operates."
d. "I'd like to sit with you for a while to help you get comfortable talking to me."
✅ Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Offering self helps build trust and shows presence — useful in the orientation
phase.
Q15.
Which technique best communicates to a client that the caregiver is interested in listening?
a. Restating a feeling or thought the client expressed.
b. Asking a direct question like “Did you feel angry?”
c. Making a judgment about the client’s problem.
d. Saying, “I understand what you’re saying.”
✅ Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Restating shows active listening and helps validate understanding.
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HEALTH NURSING
1. A client says to the caregiver, "I dreamed I was stoned. When I woke up, I felt emotionally
drained, as though I hadn't rested well." Which response should the caregiver use to clarify the
client's comment?
A. "It sounds as though you were uncomfortable with the content of your dream."
B. "I understand what you're saying. Bad dreams leave me feeling tired, too."
C. "So you feel as though you did not get enough quality sleep last night?"
D. "Can you give me an example of what you mean by 'stoned'?"
✅ Correct Answer: D
2. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the caregiver, "The CIA is monitoring us through
the fluorescent lights in this room. Be careful what you say." Which response by the caregiver
would be most therapeutic?
A. "Let's talk about something other than the CIA."
B. "It sounds like you're concerned about your privacy."
C. "The CIA is prohibited from operating in health care facilities."
D. "You have lost touch with reality, which is a symptom of your illness."
✅ Correct Answer: B
3. The client says, "My marriage is just great. My spouse and I always agree." The caregiver
observes the client's foot moving continuously as the client twirls a shirt button. The conclusion
the caregiver can draw is that the client's communication is:
A. Clear
B. Mixed
C. Precise
D. Inadequate
✅ Correct Answer: B
4. A caregiver interacts with a newly hospitalized client. Select the caregiver's comment that
applies the communication technique of "offering self."
A. "I've also had traumatic life experiences. Maybe it would help if I told you about them."
B. "Why do you think you had so much difficulty adjusting to this change in your life?"
C. "I hope you will feel better after getting accustomed to how this unit operates."
1
,D. "I'd like to sit with you for a while to help you get comfortable talking to me."
✅ Correct Answer: D
5. Which technique will best communicate to a client that the caregiver is interested in listening?
A. Restating a feeling or thought the client has expressed
B. Asking a direct question, such as "Did you feel angry?"
C. Making a judgment about the client's problem
D. Saying, "I understand what you're saying."
✅ Correct Answer: A
6. A client discloses several concerns and associated feelings. If the caregiver wants to seek
clarification, which comment would be appropriate?
A. "What are the common elements here?"
B. "Tell me again about your experiences."
C. "Am I correct in understanding that . . ."
D. "Tell me everything from the beginning."
✅ Correct Answer: C
7. A client tells the caregiver, "I don't think I'll ever get out of here." Select the caregiver's most
therapeutic response.
A. "Don't talk that way. Of course you will leave here!"
B. "Keep up the good work, and you certainly will."
C. "You don't think you're making progress?"
D. "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
✅ Correct Answer: C
8. Documentation in a client's chart shows, "Throughout a 5-minute interaction, client fidgeted
and tapped left foot, periodically covered face with hands, and looked under chair while stating,
'I enjoy spending time with you.'" Which analysis is most accurate?
A. The client is giving positive feedback about the caregiver's communication techniques.
B. The caregiver is viewing the client's behavior through a cultural filter.
C. The client's verbal and nonverbal messages are incongruent.
D. The client is demonstrating psychotic behaviors.
✅ Correct Answer: C
2
,9. While talking with a client diagnosed with major depression, a caregiver notices the client is
unable to maintain eye contact. The client's chin lowers to the chest, while the client looks at the
floor. Which aspect of communication has the caregiver assessed?
A. Nonverbal communication
B. A message filter
C. A cultural barrier
D. Social skills
✅ Correct Answer: A
10. During the first interview with a parent whose child died in a car accident, the caregiver feels
empathic and reaches out to take the client's hand. Select the correct analysis of the caregiver's
behavior.
A. It shows empathy and compassion. It will encourage the client to continue to express feelings.
B. The gesture is premature. The client's cultural and individual interpretation of touch is
unknown.
C. The client will perceive the gesture as intrusive and overstepping boundaries.
D. The action is inappropriate. Psychiatric clients should not be touched.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Q11.
A client says to the caregiver, “I dreamed I was stoned. When I woke up, I felt emotionally
drained, as though I hadn't rested well.”
Which response should the caregiver use to clarify the client's comment?
a. "It sounds as though you were uncomfortable with the content of your dream."
b. "I understand what you're saying. Bad dreams leave me feeling tired, too."
c. "So you feel as though you did not get enough quality sleep last night?"
d. "Can you give me an example of what you mean by 'stoned'?"
✅ Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Asking for a definition of “stoned” directly seeks clarification — a therapeutic
communication technique.
Q12.
A client diagnosed with schizophrenia says, “The CIA is monitoring us through the fluorescent
lights in this room. Be careful what you say.”
Which response by the caregiver is most therapeutic?
a. "Let's talk about something other than the CIA."
b. "It sounds like you're concerned about your privacy."
c. "The CIA is prohibited from operating in health care facilities."
d. "You have lost touch with reality, which is a symptom of your illness."
3
, ✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Reflecting feelings acknowledges the client’s concern without challenging the
delusion.
Q13.
The client says, “My marriage is just great. My spouse and I always agree.”
The caregiver observes the client fidgeting and twirling a shirt button. What is the best
conclusion?
a. The communication is clear.
b. The communication is mixed.
c. The communication is precise.
d. The communication is inadequate.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The verbal message conflicts with nonverbal behavior, indicating mixed messages.
Q14.
A caregiver interacts with a newly hospitalized client. Which comment applies the
communication technique of offering self?
a. "I've also had traumatic experiences. Maybe I should tell you about them."
b. "Why do you think you had so much difficulty adjusting to this change?"
c. "I hope you will feel better after getting accustomed to how this unit operates."
d. "I'd like to sit with you for a while to help you get comfortable talking to me."
✅ Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Offering self helps build trust and shows presence — useful in the orientation
phase.
Q15.
Which technique best communicates to a client that the caregiver is interested in listening?
a. Restating a feeling or thought the client expressed.
b. Asking a direct question like “Did you feel angry?”
c. Making a judgment about the client’s problem.
d. Saying, “I understand what you’re saying.”
✅ Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Restating shows active listening and helps validate understanding.
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