School of Nursing
Communication in Nursing
Exam 1
2026/2027 Academic Year | 50 Questions with Correct Answers & Solutions
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question. Review rationales for detailed explanations.
Correct answers are indicated in bold cyan. Each rationale is evidence-based.
, Communication in Nursing Exam 1 — 2026/2027
Exam Instructions
This examination consists of 50 multiple-choice questions designed to assess your knowledge
and understanding of communication principles in nursing practice. Topics include
therapeutic communication techniques, SBAR handoff communication, patient education,
cultural competence, legal and ethical standards, documentation, interprofessional
collaboration, de-escalation, lifespan considerations, and technology-mediated
communication. Each question has four answer choices (A through D). Select the single best
answer for each item.
The recommended time limit is 90 minutes (approximately 1.8 minutes per question). All
questions are scored equally. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so it is to your
advantage to answer every question. After completing the exam, review the correct answers
and rationales provided to enhance your understanding of each topic. Each rationale
references evidence-based guidelines and nursing literature, including the Joint Commission,
AHRQ TeamSTEPPS, CDC Health Literacy guidelines, and standard nursing textbooks
(Potter & Perry, Arnold & Boggs, ATI).
This exam is aligned with the NCSBN NCLEX-RN test plan and reflects current best
practices in nursing communication. Use this as both an assessment tool and a study resource.
Good luck!
Therapeutic Communication Techniques (Questions 1–8)
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just received a terminal diagnosis. The patient is
crying and says, "I don't know what to do." Which response by the nurse demonstrates active
listening?
A. A. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
B. B. "I can see this is overwhelming for you. Tell me more about what you're feeling."
C. C. "You should speak with your doctor about your treatment options."
D. D. "I understand exactly how you feel."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Active listening involves fully attending to the patient, reflecting their feelings, and
encouraging elaboration. Option B acknowledges the patient's emotion and invites further expression,
which are core components of active listening. Option A is false reassurance. Option C redirects to the
physician without addressing the emotion. Option D claims understanding that cannot be guaranteed
(Potter & Perry, Fundamentals of Nursing).
2. Which of the following is the best example of an open-ended question for a patient
assessment?
A. A. "Are you having pain?"
B. B. "Have you taken your medication today?"
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, Communication in Nursing Exam 1 — 2026/2027
C. C. "How have you been feeling since your surgery?"
D. D. "Do you have any allergies?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to share detailed information in their own words
and begin with words like 'what,' 'how,' or 'tell me about.' Option C invites a broad, descriptive
response. Options A, B, and D are closed-ended questions that elicit yes/no or one-word answers,
limiting patient expression (Arnold & Boggs, Interpersonal Relationships).
3. A nurse is sitting quietly with a patient who recently lost a spouse. The patient is not
speaking but appears tearful. Which therapeutic use of silence is most appropriate?
A. A. The nurse should immediately leave the room to give the patient privacy.
B. B. The nurse should remain present, maintain eye contact, and allow silence as a
therapeutic tool.
C. C. The nurse should break the silence by asking if the patient wants to watch
television.
D. D. The nurse should call the chaplain because silence indicates unresolved grief."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic silence allows patients time to process emotions, gather thoughts, or simply
feel supported by a caring presence. The nurse sitting quietly communicates availability without
pressure. Option A abandons the patient. Option C introduces a distraction rather than addressing the
emotion. Option D makes an assumption about unresolved grief (ATI Nursing Communication
Module).
4. A patient says, "The doctor told me something about my heart, but I didn't really
understand." Which nursing response uses the clarification technique?
A. A. "It sounds like you're confused. Let me explain it again."
B. B. "You mentioned the doctor talked about your heart. What specifically did the
doctor say?"
C. C. "Don't worry, the doctor will explain it more clearly next time."
D. D. "I'll write it down for you later."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clarification involves asking the patient to explain further what they mean or recall what
was said, helping the nurse understand the patient's level of comprehension. Option B invites the
patient to elaborate, enabling the nurse to identify the specific gap in understanding. Option A is
condescending. Option C is false reassurance. Option D avoids addressing the current communication
gap (Arnold & Boggs).
5. What is the key distinction between restating and paraphrasing in therapeutic
communication?
A. A. Restating uses the patient's exact words, while paraphrasing puts the meaning into
the nurse's own words.
Page 2
Communication in Nursing
Exam 1
2026/2027 Academic Year | 50 Questions with Correct Answers & Solutions
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question. Review rationales for detailed explanations.
Correct answers are indicated in bold cyan. Each rationale is evidence-based.
, Communication in Nursing Exam 1 — 2026/2027
Exam Instructions
This examination consists of 50 multiple-choice questions designed to assess your knowledge
and understanding of communication principles in nursing practice. Topics include
therapeutic communication techniques, SBAR handoff communication, patient education,
cultural competence, legal and ethical standards, documentation, interprofessional
collaboration, de-escalation, lifespan considerations, and technology-mediated
communication. Each question has four answer choices (A through D). Select the single best
answer for each item.
The recommended time limit is 90 minutes (approximately 1.8 minutes per question). All
questions are scored equally. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so it is to your
advantage to answer every question. After completing the exam, review the correct answers
and rationales provided to enhance your understanding of each topic. Each rationale
references evidence-based guidelines and nursing literature, including the Joint Commission,
AHRQ TeamSTEPPS, CDC Health Literacy guidelines, and standard nursing textbooks
(Potter & Perry, Arnold & Boggs, ATI).
This exam is aligned with the NCSBN NCLEX-RN test plan and reflects current best
practices in nursing communication. Use this as both an assessment tool and a study resource.
Good luck!
Therapeutic Communication Techniques (Questions 1–8)
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just received a terminal diagnosis. The patient is
crying and says, "I don't know what to do." Which response by the nurse demonstrates active
listening?
A. A. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
B. B. "I can see this is overwhelming for you. Tell me more about what you're feeling."
C. C. "You should speak with your doctor about your treatment options."
D. D. "I understand exactly how you feel."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Active listening involves fully attending to the patient, reflecting their feelings, and
encouraging elaboration. Option B acknowledges the patient's emotion and invites further expression,
which are core components of active listening. Option A is false reassurance. Option C redirects to the
physician without addressing the emotion. Option D claims understanding that cannot be guaranteed
(Potter & Perry, Fundamentals of Nursing).
2. Which of the following is the best example of an open-ended question for a patient
assessment?
A. A. "Are you having pain?"
B. B. "Have you taken your medication today?"
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, Communication in Nursing Exam 1 — 2026/2027
C. C. "How have you been feeling since your surgery?"
D. D. "Do you have any allergies?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to share detailed information in their own words
and begin with words like 'what,' 'how,' or 'tell me about.' Option C invites a broad, descriptive
response. Options A, B, and D are closed-ended questions that elicit yes/no or one-word answers,
limiting patient expression (Arnold & Boggs, Interpersonal Relationships).
3. A nurse is sitting quietly with a patient who recently lost a spouse. The patient is not
speaking but appears tearful. Which therapeutic use of silence is most appropriate?
A. A. The nurse should immediately leave the room to give the patient privacy.
B. B. The nurse should remain present, maintain eye contact, and allow silence as a
therapeutic tool.
C. C. The nurse should break the silence by asking if the patient wants to watch
television.
D. D. The nurse should call the chaplain because silence indicates unresolved grief."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic silence allows patients time to process emotions, gather thoughts, or simply
feel supported by a caring presence. The nurse sitting quietly communicates availability without
pressure. Option A abandons the patient. Option C introduces a distraction rather than addressing the
emotion. Option D makes an assumption about unresolved grief (ATI Nursing Communication
Module).
4. A patient says, "The doctor told me something about my heart, but I didn't really
understand." Which nursing response uses the clarification technique?
A. A. "It sounds like you're confused. Let me explain it again."
B. B. "You mentioned the doctor talked about your heart. What specifically did the
doctor say?"
C. C. "Don't worry, the doctor will explain it more clearly next time."
D. D. "I'll write it down for you later."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clarification involves asking the patient to explain further what they mean or recall what
was said, helping the nurse understand the patient's level of comprehension. Option B invites the
patient to elaborate, enabling the nurse to identify the specific gap in understanding. Option A is
condescending. Option C is false reassurance. Option D avoids addressing the current communication
gap (Arnold & Boggs).
5. What is the key distinction between restating and paraphrasing in therapeutic
communication?
A. A. Restating uses the patient's exact words, while paraphrasing puts the meaning into
the nurse's own words.
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