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MENTAL HEALTH & PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
EXAM – THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION &
DISORDERS 2026-27 VERSION
Focus Areas:
• Therapeutic communication
• Nurse–patient relationship
• Anxiety, mood, psychotic, personality disorders
• Crisis intervention
• Substance use disorders
• Suicide risk & safety
• Trauma-informed care
• Legal & ethical psychiatric nursing principles
Questions 1–25: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse–Patient
Relationship
1. Which statement by the nurse BEST demonstrates
therapeutic communication?
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A. “Everything will be fine.”
B. “Why do you feel that way?”
C. “Tell me more about what you’re experiencing.”
D. “You shouldn’t think like that.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended statements encourage expression and
exploration without judgment.
2. Which response is NONtherapeutic?
A. Restating
B. Clarifying
C. Giving advice
D. Reflecting feelings
Answer: C
Rationale: Giving advice removes patient autonomy and blocks
communication.
3. The PRIMARY purpose of therapeutic communication is to:
A. Obtain information quickly
B. Control patient behavior
C. Build a trusting nurse–patient relationship
D. Provide education
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Answer: C
Rationale: Trust is foundational for effective psychiatric care.
4. Which phase of the nurse–patient relationship focuses on
goal setting?
A. Orientation
B. Working
C. Termination
D. Evaluation
Answer: B
Rationale: The working phase involves problem solving and goal
achievement.
5. During the orientation phase, the nurse should FIRST:
A. Explore transference
B. Establish roles and boundaries
C. Evaluate outcomes
D. Discuss termination
Answer: B
Rationale: Clear roles and boundaries establish safety and trust.
6. Which behavior violates professional boundaries?
, 4
A. Active listening
B. Sharing personal phone number
C. Clarifying statements
D. Using silence
Answer: B
Rationale: Sharing personal contact information crosses
professional boundaries.
7. Silence is MOST therapeutic when the nurse wants to:
A. End the conversation
B. Encourage reflection
C. Avoid answering
D. Change the subject
Answer: B
Rationale: Silence allows the patient to process thoughts and
emotions.
8. A patient says, “I feel empty inside.” Which response is
BEST?
A. “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
B. “Why do you feel empty?”
C. “Tell me what that emptiness feels like for you.”
D. “You should try to stay positive.”
MENTAL HEALTH & PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
EXAM – THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION &
DISORDERS 2026-27 VERSION
Focus Areas:
• Therapeutic communication
• Nurse–patient relationship
• Anxiety, mood, psychotic, personality disorders
• Crisis intervention
• Substance use disorders
• Suicide risk & safety
• Trauma-informed care
• Legal & ethical psychiatric nursing principles
Questions 1–25: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse–Patient
Relationship
1. Which statement by the nurse BEST demonstrates
therapeutic communication?
,2
A. “Everything will be fine.”
B. “Why do you feel that way?”
C. “Tell me more about what you’re experiencing.”
D. “You shouldn’t think like that.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended statements encourage expression and
exploration without judgment.
2. Which response is NONtherapeutic?
A. Restating
B. Clarifying
C. Giving advice
D. Reflecting feelings
Answer: C
Rationale: Giving advice removes patient autonomy and blocks
communication.
3. The PRIMARY purpose of therapeutic communication is to:
A. Obtain information quickly
B. Control patient behavior
C. Build a trusting nurse–patient relationship
D. Provide education
,3
Answer: C
Rationale: Trust is foundational for effective psychiatric care.
4. Which phase of the nurse–patient relationship focuses on
goal setting?
A. Orientation
B. Working
C. Termination
D. Evaluation
Answer: B
Rationale: The working phase involves problem solving and goal
achievement.
5. During the orientation phase, the nurse should FIRST:
A. Explore transference
B. Establish roles and boundaries
C. Evaluate outcomes
D. Discuss termination
Answer: B
Rationale: Clear roles and boundaries establish safety and trust.
6. Which behavior violates professional boundaries?
, 4
A. Active listening
B. Sharing personal phone number
C. Clarifying statements
D. Using silence
Answer: B
Rationale: Sharing personal contact information crosses
professional boundaries.
7. Silence is MOST therapeutic when the nurse wants to:
A. End the conversation
B. Encourage reflection
C. Avoid answering
D. Change the subject
Answer: B
Rationale: Silence allows the patient to process thoughts and
emotions.
8. A patient says, “I feel empty inside.” Which response is
BEST?
A. “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
B. “Why do you feel empty?”
C. “Tell me what that emptiness feels like for you.”
D. “You should try to stay positive.”
