NUR 384 Exam 1 – Mental Health Nursing –
(2026) Actual Questions & Answers
(Concordia) 100% Guarantee Pass
SECTION 1: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & INTERVIEWING
1. A nurse uses the technique of restating what the client said and then verifying
understanding is correct during a therapeutic conversation. This technique is
best known as:
• A) Clarification
• B) Active listening
• C) Paraphrasing
• D) Summarizing
Answer: B) Active listening
Rationale: Active listening involves communicating both verbally and nonverbally
that we are interested in what the other person is saying while actively verifying
our understanding. Restating what the person said and verifying understanding is
correct is a key component of active listening .
2. A nurse is using the SOLER technique during a client interaction. Which action
by the nurse demonstrates the "O" component of SOLER?
• A) Maintaining good eye contact with the client
• B) Leaning toward the client to indicate interest
• C) Using an open posture without crossing arms
• D) Sitting squarely facing the client
,Answer: C) Using an open posture without crossing arms
Rationale: SOLER stands for Sitting squarely facing the client; Open posture (avoid
crossing arms); Leaning toward the client; Eye contact; Relaxed posture. The "O"
component specifically refers to using an open posture .
3. A nurse responds to a client's disclosure of trauma by saying, "You shouldn't
feel that way; things could be much worse." This response is an example of
which nontherapeutic communication technique?
• A) False reassurance
• B) Giving personal opinions
• C) Defensive responses
• D) Approval or disapproval
Answer: B) Giving personal opinions
Rationale: Giving personal opinions, such as telling a client how they should feel or
minimizing their experience, is a nontherapeutic communication technique. It
invalidates the client's feelings and can block further therapeutic communication .
4. A nurse is using the funnel interview approach during a mental health
assessment. Which sequence of questions best demonstrates this technique?
• A) Closed-ended questions first, then open-ended questions
• B) Open-ended questions first, then clarifying questions, then closed-ended
questions
• C) Projective questions first, then closed-ended questions
• D) Closed-ended questions only to obtain specific data quickly
Answer: B) Open-ended questions first, then clarifying questions, then closed-
ended questions
,Rationale: The funnel interview approach involves asking broad open-ended
questions before gradually introducing more narrowly-scoped open-ended and
closed-ended questions. The sequence is open-ended questions first, clarifying
questions second, and closed-ended questions last .
5. A nurse enters a client's room and immediately observes the client's behavior
and the environment to assess for safety. This type of assessment is best
described as:
• A) Comprehensive assessment
• B) Situational assessment
• C) Psychosocial assessment
• D) Developmental assessment
Answer: B) Situational assessment
Rationale: Situational assessment is conducted immediately upon entering the
client's room or in a situation where an urgent or immediate response is needed. It
involves observing the client's behavior and the environment, focusing on safety
for the client and staff .
6. A client asks a nurse to be present when they talk to their guardian for the
first time in a year. The nurse remains with the patient during this interaction.
This action demonstrates which ethical principle?
• A) Autonomy
• B) Beneficence
• C) Fidelity
• D) Veracity
Answer: C) Fidelity
, Rationale: Fidelity is loyalty and faithfulness to the patient and to one's profession.
Remaining with the patient during a difficult interaction as requested
demonstrates the nurse's faithfulness and commitment to the client .
7. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client. Which
characteristic is essential for the nurse to demonstrate during all phases of this
relationship?
• A) Self-disclosure of personal experiences
• B) Professional boundaries
• C) Social relationship development
• D) Familiarity with the client's family
Answer: B) Professional boundaries
Rationale: Professional boundaries are limits that define levels of comfort when
interacting with others and include physical, sexual, intellectual, emotional, and
financial areas. Maintaining professional boundaries is essential throughout all
phases of the therapeutic nurse-client relationship .
8. A nurse is conducting a cultural interview with a client. Which question best
assesses the client's cultural background and identity as it relates to their
mental health problem?
• A) "Do you have insurance to cover your treatment?"
• B) "Are there any aspects of your background or identity that make a
difference to this problem?"
• C) "How many years of education have you completed?"
• D) "What is your current employment status?"
(2026) Actual Questions & Answers
(Concordia) 100% Guarantee Pass
SECTION 1: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & INTERVIEWING
1. A nurse uses the technique of restating what the client said and then verifying
understanding is correct during a therapeutic conversation. This technique is
best known as:
• A) Clarification
• B) Active listening
• C) Paraphrasing
• D) Summarizing
Answer: B) Active listening
Rationale: Active listening involves communicating both verbally and nonverbally
that we are interested in what the other person is saying while actively verifying
our understanding. Restating what the person said and verifying understanding is
correct is a key component of active listening .
2. A nurse is using the SOLER technique during a client interaction. Which action
by the nurse demonstrates the "O" component of SOLER?
• A) Maintaining good eye contact with the client
• B) Leaning toward the client to indicate interest
• C) Using an open posture without crossing arms
• D) Sitting squarely facing the client
,Answer: C) Using an open posture without crossing arms
Rationale: SOLER stands for Sitting squarely facing the client; Open posture (avoid
crossing arms); Leaning toward the client; Eye contact; Relaxed posture. The "O"
component specifically refers to using an open posture .
3. A nurse responds to a client's disclosure of trauma by saying, "You shouldn't
feel that way; things could be much worse." This response is an example of
which nontherapeutic communication technique?
• A) False reassurance
• B) Giving personal opinions
• C) Defensive responses
• D) Approval or disapproval
Answer: B) Giving personal opinions
Rationale: Giving personal opinions, such as telling a client how they should feel or
minimizing their experience, is a nontherapeutic communication technique. It
invalidates the client's feelings and can block further therapeutic communication .
4. A nurse is using the funnel interview approach during a mental health
assessment. Which sequence of questions best demonstrates this technique?
• A) Closed-ended questions first, then open-ended questions
• B) Open-ended questions first, then clarifying questions, then closed-ended
questions
• C) Projective questions first, then closed-ended questions
• D) Closed-ended questions only to obtain specific data quickly
Answer: B) Open-ended questions first, then clarifying questions, then closed-
ended questions
,Rationale: The funnel interview approach involves asking broad open-ended
questions before gradually introducing more narrowly-scoped open-ended and
closed-ended questions. The sequence is open-ended questions first, clarifying
questions second, and closed-ended questions last .
5. A nurse enters a client's room and immediately observes the client's behavior
and the environment to assess for safety. This type of assessment is best
described as:
• A) Comprehensive assessment
• B) Situational assessment
• C) Psychosocial assessment
• D) Developmental assessment
Answer: B) Situational assessment
Rationale: Situational assessment is conducted immediately upon entering the
client's room or in a situation where an urgent or immediate response is needed. It
involves observing the client's behavior and the environment, focusing on safety
for the client and staff .
6. A client asks a nurse to be present when they talk to their guardian for the
first time in a year. The nurse remains with the patient during this interaction.
This action demonstrates which ethical principle?
• A) Autonomy
• B) Beneficence
• C) Fidelity
• D) Veracity
Answer: C) Fidelity
, Rationale: Fidelity is loyalty and faithfulness to the patient and to one's profession.
Remaining with the patient during a difficult interaction as requested
demonstrates the nurse's faithfulness and commitment to the client .
7. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client. Which
characteristic is essential for the nurse to demonstrate during all phases of this
relationship?
• A) Self-disclosure of personal experiences
• B) Professional boundaries
• C) Social relationship development
• D) Familiarity with the client's family
Answer: B) Professional boundaries
Rationale: Professional boundaries are limits that define levels of comfort when
interacting with others and include physical, sexual, intellectual, emotional, and
financial areas. Maintaining professional boundaries is essential throughout all
phases of the therapeutic nurse-client relationship .
8. A nurse is conducting a cultural interview with a client. Which question best
assesses the client's cultural background and identity as it relates to their
mental health problem?
• A) "Do you have insurance to cover your treatment?"
• B) "Are there any aspects of your background or identity that make a
difference to this problem?"
• C) "How many years of education have you completed?"
• D) "What is your current employment status?"
