ATI PSYCHOSOCIAL NEEDS
Therapeutic
Communication Review
Exam
Q&A
2024
,1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with major
depressive disorder. The nurse notices that the client is withdrawn, has
poor eye contact, and speaks in a low and monotone voice. Which of the
following is an appropriate therapeutic communication technique for the
nurse to use?
A) Use open-ended questions to encourage the client to express their
feelings.
B) Use silence to allow the client time to reflect on their thoughts.
C) Use humor to lighten the mood and distract the client from their
problems.
D) Use confrontation to challenge the client's negative and irrational
beliefs.
Answer: A
Rationale: Open-ended questions are effective in facilitating
communication and helping the client explore their feelings. Silence can
be used as a therapeutic communication technique, but it should be used
sparingly and with sensitivity. Humor and confrontation are not
appropriate for a client who is depressed, as they may increase the client's
feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness.
2. A nurse is conducting a group therapy session for clients who have
anxiety disorders. The nurse observes that one of the clients is dominating
the conversation and interrupting others. Which of the following is an
appropriate response by the nurse?
A) Ask the client to leave the group until they can respect the rules of
participation.
B) Ignore the client's behavior and focus on the other group members.
C) Acknowledge the client's contributions and redirect the discussion to
include others.
D) Confront the client about their behavior and ask them why they are
acting this way.
Answer: C
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's contributions and redirecting the
discussion to include others is a respectful and effective way of managing
a dominant group member. Asking the client to leave, ignoring their
behavior, or confronting them may be perceived as punitive, hostile, or
, judgmental, and may worsen the client's anxiety or trigger defensive
reactions.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. The client tells the nurse that they hear voices
telling them to harm themselves. Which of the following is an appropriate
response by the nurse?
A) Tell the client that the voices are not real and that they should ignore
them.
B) Ask the client what the voices are saying and how they make them feel.
C) Tell the client that they are safe and that the nurse will stay with them.
D) Ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves and assess their
suicide risk.
Answer: D
Rationale: Asking the client if they have a plan to harm themselves and
assessing their suicide risk is a priority intervention for a client who is
experiencing suicidal ideation. Telling the client that the voices are not
real or that they should ignore them may invalidate the client's experience
or increase their distress. Asking the client what the voices are saying or
how they make them feel may reinforce the hallucinations or increase
their anxiety. Telling the client that they are safe and staying with them
are supportive actions, but they do not address the immediate risk of self-
harm.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and is in a manic
episode. The nurse observes that the client is restless, agitated, and
speaking rapidly. The nurse also notices that the client has poor hygiene
and is wearing mismatched clothes. Which of the following is an
appropriate nursing intervention for this client?
A) Provide a quiet and calm environment for the client and limit
stimulation.
B) Encourage the client to participate in physical activities and socialize
with others.
C) Assist the client with grooming and dressing and offer choices of
clothing.
D) Monitor the client's vital signs and fluid intake and output closely.
Answer: A
Rationale: Providing a quiet and calm environment for the client and
Therapeutic
Communication Review
Exam
Q&A
2024
,1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with major
depressive disorder. The nurse notices that the client is withdrawn, has
poor eye contact, and speaks in a low and monotone voice. Which of the
following is an appropriate therapeutic communication technique for the
nurse to use?
A) Use open-ended questions to encourage the client to express their
feelings.
B) Use silence to allow the client time to reflect on their thoughts.
C) Use humor to lighten the mood and distract the client from their
problems.
D) Use confrontation to challenge the client's negative and irrational
beliefs.
Answer: A
Rationale: Open-ended questions are effective in facilitating
communication and helping the client explore their feelings. Silence can
be used as a therapeutic communication technique, but it should be used
sparingly and with sensitivity. Humor and confrontation are not
appropriate for a client who is depressed, as they may increase the client's
feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness.
2. A nurse is conducting a group therapy session for clients who have
anxiety disorders. The nurse observes that one of the clients is dominating
the conversation and interrupting others. Which of the following is an
appropriate response by the nurse?
A) Ask the client to leave the group until they can respect the rules of
participation.
B) Ignore the client's behavior and focus on the other group members.
C) Acknowledge the client's contributions and redirect the discussion to
include others.
D) Confront the client about their behavior and ask them why they are
acting this way.
Answer: C
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's contributions and redirecting the
discussion to include others is a respectful and effective way of managing
a dominant group member. Asking the client to leave, ignoring their
behavior, or confronting them may be perceived as punitive, hostile, or
, judgmental, and may worsen the client's anxiety or trigger defensive
reactions.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. The client tells the nurse that they hear voices
telling them to harm themselves. Which of the following is an appropriate
response by the nurse?
A) Tell the client that the voices are not real and that they should ignore
them.
B) Ask the client what the voices are saying and how they make them feel.
C) Tell the client that they are safe and that the nurse will stay with them.
D) Ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves and assess their
suicide risk.
Answer: D
Rationale: Asking the client if they have a plan to harm themselves and
assessing their suicide risk is a priority intervention for a client who is
experiencing suicidal ideation. Telling the client that the voices are not
real or that they should ignore them may invalidate the client's experience
or increase their distress. Asking the client what the voices are saying or
how they make them feel may reinforce the hallucinations or increase
their anxiety. Telling the client that they are safe and staying with them
are supportive actions, but they do not address the immediate risk of self-
harm.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and is in a manic
episode. The nurse observes that the client is restless, agitated, and
speaking rapidly. The nurse also notices that the client has poor hygiene
and is wearing mismatched clothes. Which of the following is an
appropriate nursing intervention for this client?
A) Provide a quiet and calm environment for the client and limit
stimulation.
B) Encourage the client to participate in physical activities and socialize
with others.
C) Assist the client with grooming and dressing and offer choices of
clothing.
D) Monitor the client's vital signs and fluid intake and output closely.
Answer: A
Rationale: Providing a quiet and calm environment for the client and
