Ch 8 Therapeutic Communication Test
Bank
1. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse client interaction?
Client: When I get angry, I get into a fistfight with my wife or I take it out on the kids.
Nurse: I notice that you are smiling as you talk about this physical violence.
A. Encouraging comparison
B. Exploring
C. Formulating a plan of action
D. Making observations - ANS ANS: D
The nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of making observations when
noting that the
client smiles when talking about physical violence. The technique of making observations
encourages the
client to compare personal perceptions with those of the nurse.
2. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse client interaction?
Client: My father spanked me often.
Nurse: Your father was a harsh disciplinarian.
A. Restatement
B. Offering general leads
C. Focusing
D. Accepting - ANS ANS: A
The nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of restatement. Restatement
involves repeating the main idea of what the client has said. The nurse uses this technique to
communicate that the clients statement has been heard and understood.
3. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse client interaction?
Client: When I am anxious, the only thing that calms me down is alcohol.
Nurse: Other than drinking, what alternatives have you explored to decrease anxiety?
A. Reflecting
B. Making observations
C. Formulating a plan of action
D. Giving recognition - ANS ANS: C
The nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of formulating a plan of action to
help the client explore alternatives to drinking alcohol. The use of this technique, rather than
direct confrontation regarding the clients poor coping choice, may serve to prevent anger or
anxiety from escalating.
, 4. The nurse is interviewing a newly admitted psychiatric client. Which nursing statement is an
example of offering a general lead?
A. Do you know why you are here?
B. Are you feeling depressed or anxious?
C. Yes, I see. Go on.
D. Can you chronologically order the events that led to your admission? - ANS ANS: C
The nurses statement, Yes, I see. Go on, is an example of the therapeutic communication
technique of a
general lead. Offering a general lead encourages the client to continue sharing information.
5. A nurse states to a client, Things will look better tomorrow after a good nights sleep. This is
an example of which communication technique?
A. The therapeutic technique of giving advice
B. The therapeutic technique of defending
C. The nontherapeutic technique of presenting reality
D. The nontherapeutic technique of giving false reassurance - ANS ANS: D
The nurses statement, Things will look better tomorrow after a good nights sleep, is an example
of the
nontherapeutic technique of giving false reassurance. Giving false reassurance indicates to the
client that there is no cause for anxiety, thereby devaluing the clients feelings.
6. 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? - ANS ANS: B
The nurses 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 clients role in the interaction.
7. A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia for the presence of hallucinations.
Which therapeutic communication technique used by the nurse is an example of making
observations?
A. You appear to be talking to someone I do not see.
B. Please describe what you are seeing.
Bank
1. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse client interaction?
Client: When I get angry, I get into a fistfight with my wife or I take it out on the kids.
Nurse: I notice that you are smiling as you talk about this physical violence.
A. Encouraging comparison
B. Exploring
C. Formulating a plan of action
D. Making observations - ANS ANS: D
The nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of making observations when
noting that the
client smiles when talking about physical violence. The technique of making observations
encourages the
client to compare personal perceptions with those of the nurse.
2. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse client interaction?
Client: My father spanked me often.
Nurse: Your father was a harsh disciplinarian.
A. Restatement
B. Offering general leads
C. Focusing
D. Accepting - ANS ANS: A
The nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of restatement. Restatement
involves repeating the main idea of what the client has said. The nurse uses this technique to
communicate that the clients statement has been heard and understood.
3. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse client interaction?
Client: When I am anxious, the only thing that calms me down is alcohol.
Nurse: Other than drinking, what alternatives have you explored to decrease anxiety?
A. Reflecting
B. Making observations
C. Formulating a plan of action
D. Giving recognition - ANS ANS: C
The nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of formulating a plan of action to
help the client explore alternatives to drinking alcohol. The use of this technique, rather than
direct confrontation regarding the clients poor coping choice, may serve to prevent anger or
anxiety from escalating.
, 4. The nurse is interviewing a newly admitted psychiatric client. Which nursing statement is an
example of offering a general lead?
A. Do you know why you are here?
B. Are you feeling depressed or anxious?
C. Yes, I see. Go on.
D. Can you chronologically order the events that led to your admission? - ANS ANS: C
The nurses statement, Yes, I see. Go on, is an example of the therapeutic communication
technique of a
general lead. Offering a general lead encourages the client to continue sharing information.
5. A nurse states to a client, Things will look better tomorrow after a good nights sleep. This is
an example of which communication technique?
A. The therapeutic technique of giving advice
B. The therapeutic technique of defending
C. The nontherapeutic technique of presenting reality
D. The nontherapeutic technique of giving false reassurance - ANS ANS: D
The nurses statement, Things will look better tomorrow after a good nights sleep, is an example
of the
nontherapeutic technique of giving false reassurance. Giving false reassurance indicates to the
client that there is no cause for anxiety, thereby devaluing the clients feelings.
6. 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? - ANS ANS: B
The nurses 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 clients role in the interaction.
7. A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia for the presence of hallucinations.
Which therapeutic communication technique used by the nurse is an example of making
observations?
A. You appear to be talking to someone I do not see.
B. Please describe what you are seeing.
