KAPLAN NCLEX-RN PREP EXAM Therapeutic
Communication Q&A 2026
1 A client with newly diagnosed diabetes says to the nurse, "I just
can't believe this happened to me. I'll never be able to eat
anything good again." Which response by the nurse best
demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "You should try to focus on the positive aspects of managing
your diabetes."
B. "It sounds like you're feeling frustrated about the changes in
your diet. Tell me more about what's concerning you."
C. "Many people with diabetes still enjoy delicious food with some
modifications."
D. "Don't worry, you'll adjust to this new lifestyle in time."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Option B uses reflection and an open-ended
question to acknowledge the client's feelings and encourage
further expression, which is the core of therapeutic
communication. Option A is dismissive and gives advice. Option
C provides information but doesn't address the emotional
concern. Option D is nontherapeutic because it minimizes the
client's feelings with "don't worry."
2 A nurse is conducting an intake interview with a client who has
come to the hospital for abdominal pain. The client appears
distracted and keeps looking at the door. Which action
demonstrates that the nurse is actively listening during this
interview?
A. "I notice you're looking at the door. Is something causing you
,concern?"
B. "Let me repeat what you've said so far to make sure I
understand."
C. "Please continue telling me about your symptoms while I take
notes."
D. "I'll finish this interview quickly so you can get back to your
room."
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Option A demonstrates active listening by
acknowledging nonverbal cues and inviting the client to share
concerns, showing the nurse is attuned to both verbal and
nonverbal communication. Option B is a valid technique but
doesn't address the observed nonverbal behavior. Option C is
passive and doesn't show engagement. Option D is dismissive
and rushes the client.
3 A 39-year-old client is talking with a nurse about the client's
sexual relationship with a committed partner. The topic becomes
awkward for the nurse. Which describes how the nurse should
discuss this awkward topic with the client?
A. "This is a difficult topic for me, but let's move on to something
else."
B. "I understand this may feel uncomfortable, but it's important
information for your care. Please continue."
C. "Let's focus on your medical symptoms instead of your
personal relationship."
D. "I'm not comfortable discussing this. Would you like to speak
with another nurse?"
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Option B acknowledges the potential discomfort
while emphasizing the importance of the information for care,
maintaining therapeutic communication without transferring
,the nurse's discomfort to the client. Option A, C, and D all avoid
or dismiss the topic, which is nontherapeutic and fails to address
the client's needs.
4 A client and her spouse are seen at the primary care clinic for
assessment for infertility. The client becomes tearful as she tells
the nurse that she has been trying to become pregnant for over a
year without success. The client says, "I do not think I could
handle it if I knew I could never start a family." Which
intervention by the nurse best demonstrates therapeutic
communication to assist the client with coping with her situation?
A. "There are many options available, including adoption and
fertility treatments."
B. "I can see this is very painful for you. Tell me more about what
starting a family means to you."
C. "You're young, and many couples don't conceive until after a
year."
D. "Don't be so negative. You need to stay hopeful."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Option B uses empathy and an open-ended
question to help the client explore her feelings and values, which
supports coping. Option A provides information but doesn't
address the emotional pain. Option C is dismissive and offers
false reassurance. Option D is nontherapeutic because it tells the
client how to feel.
5 Which is an example of a qualitative open-ended question that
the nurse may use in therapeutic communication with the client?
A. "Do you feel pain in your chest?"
B. "How would you describe the quality of your sleep?"
, C. "Are you taking your medication as prescribed?"
D. "Did the doctor tell you about your diagnosis?"
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Option B is an open-ended question that invites the
client to describe their experience in detail, encouraging
elaboration. Options A, C, and D are all closed questions that can
be answered with "yes" or "no," which limits communication and
doesn't promote therapeutic dialogue.
6 Which of the following is a true statement regarding
communication between the nurse and the client?
A. The nurse should focus on the nurse's own experiences to build
rapport.
B. Therapeutic communication requires the nurse to ask "why"
questions to understand the client's perspective.
C. The nurse should respond to the client's feeling tone rather
than just the content of what is said.
D. Yes/no questions are the most effective way to gather accurate
information from clients.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Option C is correct because responding to feeling
tone acknowledges the emotional component of communication,
which is essential in therapeutic relationships. Option A is
nontherapeutic because it shifts focus to the nurse. Option B is
incorrect because "why" questions can make clients defensive.
Option D is incorrect because yes/no questions limit
communication.
Communication Q&A 2026
1 A client with newly diagnosed diabetes says to the nurse, "I just
can't believe this happened to me. I'll never be able to eat
anything good again." Which response by the nurse best
demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "You should try to focus on the positive aspects of managing
your diabetes."
B. "It sounds like you're feeling frustrated about the changes in
your diet. Tell me more about what's concerning you."
C. "Many people with diabetes still enjoy delicious food with some
modifications."
D. "Don't worry, you'll adjust to this new lifestyle in time."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Option B uses reflection and an open-ended
question to acknowledge the client's feelings and encourage
further expression, which is the core of therapeutic
communication. Option A is dismissive and gives advice. Option
C provides information but doesn't address the emotional
concern. Option D is nontherapeutic because it minimizes the
client's feelings with "don't worry."
2 A nurse is conducting an intake interview with a client who has
come to the hospital for abdominal pain. The client appears
distracted and keeps looking at the door. Which action
demonstrates that the nurse is actively listening during this
interview?
A. "I notice you're looking at the door. Is something causing you
,concern?"
B. "Let me repeat what you've said so far to make sure I
understand."
C. "Please continue telling me about your symptoms while I take
notes."
D. "I'll finish this interview quickly so you can get back to your
room."
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Option A demonstrates active listening by
acknowledging nonverbal cues and inviting the client to share
concerns, showing the nurse is attuned to both verbal and
nonverbal communication. Option B is a valid technique but
doesn't address the observed nonverbal behavior. Option C is
passive and doesn't show engagement. Option D is dismissive
and rushes the client.
3 A 39-year-old client is talking with a nurse about the client's
sexual relationship with a committed partner. The topic becomes
awkward for the nurse. Which describes how the nurse should
discuss this awkward topic with the client?
A. "This is a difficult topic for me, but let's move on to something
else."
B. "I understand this may feel uncomfortable, but it's important
information for your care. Please continue."
C. "Let's focus on your medical symptoms instead of your
personal relationship."
D. "I'm not comfortable discussing this. Would you like to speak
with another nurse?"
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Option B acknowledges the potential discomfort
while emphasizing the importance of the information for care,
maintaining therapeutic communication without transferring
,the nurse's discomfort to the client. Option A, C, and D all avoid
or dismiss the topic, which is nontherapeutic and fails to address
the client's needs.
4 A client and her spouse are seen at the primary care clinic for
assessment for infertility. The client becomes tearful as she tells
the nurse that she has been trying to become pregnant for over a
year without success. The client says, "I do not think I could
handle it if I knew I could never start a family." Which
intervention by the nurse best demonstrates therapeutic
communication to assist the client with coping with her situation?
A. "There are many options available, including adoption and
fertility treatments."
B. "I can see this is very painful for you. Tell me more about what
starting a family means to you."
C. "You're young, and many couples don't conceive until after a
year."
D. "Don't be so negative. You need to stay hopeful."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Option B uses empathy and an open-ended
question to help the client explore her feelings and values, which
supports coping. Option A provides information but doesn't
address the emotional pain. Option C is dismissive and offers
false reassurance. Option D is nontherapeutic because it tells the
client how to feel.
5 Which is an example of a qualitative open-ended question that
the nurse may use in therapeutic communication with the client?
A. "Do you feel pain in your chest?"
B. "How would you describe the quality of your sleep?"
, C. "Are you taking your medication as prescribed?"
D. "Did the doctor tell you about your diagnosis?"
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Option B is an open-ended question that invites the
client to describe their experience in detail, encouraging
elaboration. Options A, C, and D are all closed questions that can
be answered with "yes" or "no," which limits communication and
doesn't promote therapeutic dialogue.
6 Which of the following is a true statement regarding
communication between the nurse and the client?
A. The nurse should focus on the nurse's own experiences to build
rapport.
B. Therapeutic communication requires the nurse to ask "why"
questions to understand the client's perspective.
C. The nurse should respond to the client's feeling tone rather
than just the content of what is said.
D. Yes/no questions are the most effective way to gather accurate
information from clients.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Option C is correct because responding to feeling
tone acknowledges the emotional component of communication,
which is essential in therapeutic relationships. Option A is
nontherapeutic because it shifts focus to the nurse. Option B is
incorrect because "why" questions can make clients defensive.
Option D is incorrect because yes/no questions limit
communication.
