NURSING 2460
Introduction to
Therapeutic
Communication for
Health Professionals
Q & A w/ Rationales
2024
,1. Therapeutic communication is an essential skill for
health professionals, particularly nurses, to establish a
therapeutic relationship with patients. Which of the
following statements best defines therapeutic
communication?
a) Communication techniques used to manipulate patients
into following treatment plans.
b) An empathetic and non-judgmental approach to
interacting with patients.
c) Verbal and non-verbal cues used to diagnose patients'
mental health conditions.
d) A one-way communication approach used by healthcare
providers to deliver information to patients.
Answer: b) An empathetic and non-judgmental approach to
interacting with patients.
Rationale: Therapeutic communication is characterized by
genuine empathy, active listening, respect, and non-
judgmental attitudes. This approach helps build trust and
fosters a therapeutic relationship between healthcare
professionals and patients.
2. A nurse is providing therapeutic communication to a
patient with anxiety. Which of the following techniques is
most appropriate for a nurse to use when communicating
with this patient?
, a) Offering personal advice and solutions to the patient's
anxiety.
b) Consistently interrupting the patient to redirect the
conversation.
c) Using open-ended questions to encourage the patient to
express feelings.
d) Avoiding eye contact and maintaining a stern facial
expression.
Answer: c) Using open-ended questions to encourage the
patient to express feelings.
Rationale: Open-ended questions promote exploration of
thoughts and feelings, allowing patients to express
themselves fully. This technique helps nurses identify
underlying issues and establish effective therapeutic
communication.
3. During therapeutic communication, which of the
following non-verbal cues is most likely to indicate active
listening by a healthcare professional?
a) Crossing arms and leaning backward.
b) Nodding and maintaining eye contact.
c) Constantly fidgeting and avoiding eye contact.
d) Interrupting the patient to provide immediate feedback.
Answer: b) Nodding and maintaining eye contact.
Introduction to
Therapeutic
Communication for
Health Professionals
Q & A w/ Rationales
2024
,1. Therapeutic communication is an essential skill for
health professionals, particularly nurses, to establish a
therapeutic relationship with patients. Which of the
following statements best defines therapeutic
communication?
a) Communication techniques used to manipulate patients
into following treatment plans.
b) An empathetic and non-judgmental approach to
interacting with patients.
c) Verbal and non-verbal cues used to diagnose patients'
mental health conditions.
d) A one-way communication approach used by healthcare
providers to deliver information to patients.
Answer: b) An empathetic and non-judgmental approach to
interacting with patients.
Rationale: Therapeutic communication is characterized by
genuine empathy, active listening, respect, and non-
judgmental attitudes. This approach helps build trust and
fosters a therapeutic relationship between healthcare
professionals and patients.
2. A nurse is providing therapeutic communication to a
patient with anxiety. Which of the following techniques is
most appropriate for a nurse to use when communicating
with this patient?
, a) Offering personal advice and solutions to the patient's
anxiety.
b) Consistently interrupting the patient to redirect the
conversation.
c) Using open-ended questions to encourage the patient to
express feelings.
d) Avoiding eye contact and maintaining a stern facial
expression.
Answer: c) Using open-ended questions to encourage the
patient to express feelings.
Rationale: Open-ended questions promote exploration of
thoughts and feelings, allowing patients to express
themselves fully. This technique helps nurses identify
underlying issues and establish effective therapeutic
communication.
3. During therapeutic communication, which of the
following non-verbal cues is most likely to indicate active
listening by a healthcare professional?
a) Crossing arms and leaning backward.
b) Nodding and maintaining eye contact.
c) Constantly fidgeting and avoiding eye contact.
d) Interrupting the patient to provide immediate feedback.
Answer: b) Nodding and maintaining eye contact.
