NURS 110: Communication and Therapeutic Relationships
Comprehensive Exam 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is conducting a clinical interview with a client. The nurse remains
silent for several moments after the client shares a traumatic experience. Which
of the following describes the therapeutic value of this silence?
A. It allows the nurse to formulate the perfect response.
B. It demonstrates the nurse’s lack of preparedness for the conversation.
C. It provides the client time to organize thoughts and process feelings.
D. It indicates to the client that the nurse is finished with the interaction.
Answer: C
Rationale: Silence is a therapeutic technique that allows the client to reflect on what has
been said, organize thoughts, and feel the nurse’s presence without pressure to speak
immediately.
2. During which phase of the nurse-client relationship does the nurse primary
focus on setting boundaries and establishing a contract for the relationship?
A. Pre-interaction Phase
B. Working Phase
C. Orientation Phase
D. Termination Phase
Answer: C
Rationale: The orientation phase involves the initial meeting where roles are defined,
boundaries are set, and the goals for the relationship are established.
,3. Using the SBAR communication tool, which information would a nurse
include in the ‘A’ (Assessment) portion of the report to a physician?
A. The patient’s vital signs and clinical changes noted by the nurse.
B. The patient’s name, room number, and current diagnosis.
C. The nurse’s recommendation for a change in the plan of care.
D. The patient’s medical history and recent laboratory results.
Answer: A
Rationale: In SBAR, Assessment (A) involves the nurse sharing their clinical assessment of
the situation, including vital signs and current findings.
4. A nurse tells a patient, ‘I’m sure everything will be fine with your surgery.’
This is an example of which non-therapeutic communication technique?
A. Providing hope
B. Using platitudes
C. Giving false reassurance
D. Minimizing feelings
Answer: C
Rationale: Giving false reassurance discourages communication by trivializing the client’s
concerns and making promises that the nurse cannot keep.
5. Which level of communication is characterized by a person’s ‘inner thought’
or self-talk?
A. Intrapersonal communication
B. Small-group communication
C. Interpersonal communication
D. Public communication
Answer: A
Rationale: Intrapersonal communication occurs within an individual and serves as ‘self-
talk’ or internal thinking.
, 6. A nurse observes a client’s posture is slumped and they are avoiding eye
contact while saying ‘I’m doing great.’ The nurse should interpret this based on
which principle of communication?
A. Verbal communication is more accurate than non-verbal communication.
B. Context is the only factor in determining meaning.
C. The client is being intentionally deceptive.
D. Non-verbal communication is usually more reliable than verbal communication.
Answer: D
Rationale: When verbal and non-verbal messages conflict, non-verbal cues are generally
considered more reliable indicators of a person’s true feelings.
7. A nurse is using the SOLER technique for active listening. What does the ‘E’ in
SOLER stand for?
A. Empathy
B. Eye contact
C. Encourage conversation
D. Evaluate responses
Answer: B
Rationale: SOLER stands for: Sit squarely, Open posture, Lean toward the client, Eye
contact, and Relax.
8. Which nursing action occurs during the ‘Working Phase’ of the therapeutic
relationship?
A. Reviewing the patient’s chart before the meeting.
B. Establishing a time and place for future meetings.
C. Summarizing progress made toward goal achievement.
D. Assisting the client to clarify their feelings and explore solutions.
Answer: D
Comprehensive Exam 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is conducting a clinical interview with a client. The nurse remains
silent for several moments after the client shares a traumatic experience. Which
of the following describes the therapeutic value of this silence?
A. It allows the nurse to formulate the perfect response.
B. It demonstrates the nurse’s lack of preparedness for the conversation.
C. It provides the client time to organize thoughts and process feelings.
D. It indicates to the client that the nurse is finished with the interaction.
Answer: C
Rationale: Silence is a therapeutic technique that allows the client to reflect on what has
been said, organize thoughts, and feel the nurse’s presence without pressure to speak
immediately.
2. During which phase of the nurse-client relationship does the nurse primary
focus on setting boundaries and establishing a contract for the relationship?
A. Pre-interaction Phase
B. Working Phase
C. Orientation Phase
D. Termination Phase
Answer: C
Rationale: The orientation phase involves the initial meeting where roles are defined,
boundaries are set, and the goals for the relationship are established.
,3. Using the SBAR communication tool, which information would a nurse
include in the ‘A’ (Assessment) portion of the report to a physician?
A. The patient’s vital signs and clinical changes noted by the nurse.
B. The patient’s name, room number, and current diagnosis.
C. The nurse’s recommendation for a change in the plan of care.
D. The patient’s medical history and recent laboratory results.
Answer: A
Rationale: In SBAR, Assessment (A) involves the nurse sharing their clinical assessment of
the situation, including vital signs and current findings.
4. A nurse tells a patient, ‘I’m sure everything will be fine with your surgery.’
This is an example of which non-therapeutic communication technique?
A. Providing hope
B. Using platitudes
C. Giving false reassurance
D. Minimizing feelings
Answer: C
Rationale: Giving false reassurance discourages communication by trivializing the client’s
concerns and making promises that the nurse cannot keep.
5. Which level of communication is characterized by a person’s ‘inner thought’
or self-talk?
A. Intrapersonal communication
B. Small-group communication
C. Interpersonal communication
D. Public communication
Answer: A
Rationale: Intrapersonal communication occurs within an individual and serves as ‘self-
talk’ or internal thinking.
, 6. A nurse observes a client’s posture is slumped and they are avoiding eye
contact while saying ‘I’m doing great.’ The nurse should interpret this based on
which principle of communication?
A. Verbal communication is more accurate than non-verbal communication.
B. Context is the only factor in determining meaning.
C. The client is being intentionally deceptive.
D. Non-verbal communication is usually more reliable than verbal communication.
Answer: D
Rationale: When verbal and non-verbal messages conflict, non-verbal cues are generally
considered more reliable indicators of a person’s true feelings.
7. A nurse is using the SOLER technique for active listening. What does the ‘E’ in
SOLER stand for?
A. Empathy
B. Eye contact
C. Encourage conversation
D. Evaluate responses
Answer: B
Rationale: SOLER stands for: Sit squarely, Open posture, Lean toward the client, Eye
contact, and Relax.
8. Which nursing action occurs during the ‘Working Phase’ of the therapeutic
relationship?
A. Reviewing the patient’s chart before the meeting.
B. Establishing a time and place for future meetings.
C. Summarizing progress made toward goal achievement.
D. Assisting the client to clarify their feelings and explore solutions.
Answer: D
