Therapeutic Communication nclex questions and answers
latest 2023 update
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: 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.
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: 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 client's statement has been heard and
understood.
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: 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 client's poor coping choice,
may serve to prevent anger or anxiety from escalating.
, 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: C
The nurse's 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.
A nurse states to a client, "Things will look better tomorrow after a good night's 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: D
The nurse's statement, "Things will look better tomorrow after a good night's 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 client's feelings.
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: B
The nurse's 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 client's role in the interaction.
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."
C. "Why do you continually look in the corner of this room?"
D. "If you hum a tune, the voices may not be so distracting."
latest 2023 update
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: 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.
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: 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 client's statement has been heard and
understood.
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: 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 client's poor coping choice,
may serve to prevent anger or anxiety from escalating.
, 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: C
The nurse's 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.
A nurse states to a client, "Things will look better tomorrow after a good night's 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: D
The nurse's statement, "Things will look better tomorrow after a good night's 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 client's feelings.
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: B
The nurse's 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 client's role in the interaction.
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."
C. "Why do you continually look in the corner of this room?"
D. "If you hum a tune, the voices may not be so distracting."
