NUR 3525 Mental Health Exams 2 and 3 Keiser University –
2026 Update
Total Questions: 150
Format: Multiple Choice
Time Limit: 3 hours
Passing Score: 80%
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship
(Questions 1–20)
1. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I'll ever get out of here." What is the
most therapeutic response by the nurse?
A) "Don't worry, you will be fine."
B) "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
C) "You've been feeling discouraged about your progress?"
D) "Why do you feel that way?"
Answer: C
Rationale: This response uses reflection and restatement to validate the
patient's feelings while encouraging further expression. It is open-ended and
non-judgmental. "Why" questions can feel accusatory; false reassurance
minimizes feelings.
2. Which communication technique is most effective when a patient is silent
for an extended period?
A) Asking "What are you thinking about?"
B) Sitting quietly with the patient
C) Telling the patient they need to talk
D) Changing the subject to something more pleasant
Answer: B
,Rationale: Therapeutic silence allows the patient to collect thoughts, initiate
conversation, or simply experience the nurse's presence without pressure. It
communicates acceptance and respect.
3. A patient with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The FBI is monitoring my
thoughts through satellite signals." What is the nurse's best response?
A) "That's not true. No one can read your thoughts."
B) "I understand you believe that, but I don't see any evidence of
monitoring."
C) "Let's talk about something else."
D) "Have you told your doctor about this?"
Answer: B
Rationale: This response validates the patient's experience without agreeing
with the delusion. It presents reality gently while avoiding confrontation.
Arguing with delusions increases patient anxiety and damages trust.
4. Which defense mechanism is being used when a patient who is angry with
their boss yells at their spouse instead?
A) Suppression
B) Rationalization
C) Displacement
D) Projection
Answer: C
Rationale: Displacement involves transferring emotions from the original
source to a safer target. The patient cannot safely express anger at the boss,
so the anger is redirected to the spouse.
,5. A patient states, "I'm worthless and everyone hates me." Which response
demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "You have many good qualities. You're not worthless."
B) "What makes you say that?"
C) "I don't think anyone hates you."
D) "You've been feeling down about yourself lately?"
Answer: D
Rationale: This response uses reflection to validate the patient's feelings
while encouraging further exploration. It avoids arguing with the patient's
distorted beliefs or offering premature reassurance.
6. Which of the following is an example of a non-therapeutic communication
technique?
A) Restating
B) Clarifying
C) Giving advice
D) Reflecting
Answer: C
Rationale: Giving advice implies the nurse knows what is best for the patient
and undermines the patient's autonomy and problem-solving abilities. It is a
non-therapeutic technique.
7. A patient tells the nurse, "My son hasn't visited me in 2 years." The nurse
responds, "That must hurt." This is an example of:
A) Restating
B) Empathy
C) Clarifying
D) Summarizing
, Answer: B
Rationale: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of
another. The nurse acknowledges the patient's emotional experience without
judging or analyzing.
8. During the orientation phase of the therapeutic relationship, the primary
goal is to:
A) Establish trust and set boundaries
B) Work through transference issues
C) Terminate the relationship appropriately
D) Identify underlying conflicts
Answer: A
Rationale: The orientation phase focuses on building trust, establishing
rapport, setting boundaries, clarifying expectations, and defining the
purpose of the relationship.
9. When a patient asks the nurse a personal question, the most therapeutic
response is to:
A) Answer the question fully to build trust
B) Refuse to answer and redirect to the patient
C) Explain why the information is not relevant to the patient's care
D) Change the subject immediately
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should maintain professional boundaries by explaining
that personal information is not relevant to the patient's care while
redirecting focus back to the patient.
2026 Update
Total Questions: 150
Format: Multiple Choice
Time Limit: 3 hours
Passing Score: 80%
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Patient Relationship
(Questions 1–20)
1. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I'll ever get out of here." What is the
most therapeutic response by the nurse?
A) "Don't worry, you will be fine."
B) "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
C) "You've been feeling discouraged about your progress?"
D) "Why do you feel that way?"
Answer: C
Rationale: This response uses reflection and restatement to validate the
patient's feelings while encouraging further expression. It is open-ended and
non-judgmental. "Why" questions can feel accusatory; false reassurance
minimizes feelings.
2. Which communication technique is most effective when a patient is silent
for an extended period?
A) Asking "What are you thinking about?"
B) Sitting quietly with the patient
C) Telling the patient they need to talk
D) Changing the subject to something more pleasant
Answer: B
,Rationale: Therapeutic silence allows the patient to collect thoughts, initiate
conversation, or simply experience the nurse's presence without pressure. It
communicates acceptance and respect.
3. A patient with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The FBI is monitoring my
thoughts through satellite signals." What is the nurse's best response?
A) "That's not true. No one can read your thoughts."
B) "I understand you believe that, but I don't see any evidence of
monitoring."
C) "Let's talk about something else."
D) "Have you told your doctor about this?"
Answer: B
Rationale: This response validates the patient's experience without agreeing
with the delusion. It presents reality gently while avoiding confrontation.
Arguing with delusions increases patient anxiety and damages trust.
4. Which defense mechanism is being used when a patient who is angry with
their boss yells at their spouse instead?
A) Suppression
B) Rationalization
C) Displacement
D) Projection
Answer: C
Rationale: Displacement involves transferring emotions from the original
source to a safer target. The patient cannot safely express anger at the boss,
so the anger is redirected to the spouse.
,5. A patient states, "I'm worthless and everyone hates me." Which response
demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "You have many good qualities. You're not worthless."
B) "What makes you say that?"
C) "I don't think anyone hates you."
D) "You've been feeling down about yourself lately?"
Answer: D
Rationale: This response uses reflection to validate the patient's feelings
while encouraging further exploration. It avoids arguing with the patient's
distorted beliefs or offering premature reassurance.
6. Which of the following is an example of a non-therapeutic communication
technique?
A) Restating
B) Clarifying
C) Giving advice
D) Reflecting
Answer: C
Rationale: Giving advice implies the nurse knows what is best for the patient
and undermines the patient's autonomy and problem-solving abilities. It is a
non-therapeutic technique.
7. A patient tells the nurse, "My son hasn't visited me in 2 years." The nurse
responds, "That must hurt." This is an example of:
A) Restating
B) Empathy
C) Clarifying
D) Summarizing
, Answer: B
Rationale: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of
another. The nurse acknowledges the patient's emotional experience without
judging or analyzing.
8. During the orientation phase of the therapeutic relationship, the primary
goal is to:
A) Establish trust and set boundaries
B) Work through transference issues
C) Terminate the relationship appropriately
D) Identify underlying conflicts
Answer: A
Rationale: The orientation phase focuses on building trust, establishing
rapport, setting boundaries, clarifying expectations, and defining the
purpose of the relationship.
9. When a patient asks the nurse a personal question, the most therapeutic
response is to:
A) Answer the question fully to build trust
B) Refuse to answer and redirect to the patient
C) Explain why the information is not relevant to the patient's care
D) Change the subject immediately
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should maintain professional boundaries by explaining
that personal information is not relevant to the patient's care while
redirecting focus back to the patient.
