Test Generator Questions, Chapter 5,
Therapeutic Relationships
1. The client is in the termination phase of the nurse-client
relationship after successfully meeting the outcomes of
counseling. The client states, “Now that this is over and you
won’t be seeing me professionally, let’s go out together.”
Which is the best response by the nurse?
A. “I have enjoyed spending time with you professionally but
it would be inappropriate for me to see you socially.”
B. “I do not make it a habit to see my clients outside of the professional setting so
we won’t be seeing each other again.”
C. “You are welcome to stop by and see me at any time in my office. I would be
happy to see you again.”
D. “Now that you are well again, it would be a good idea for you to go out and meet
new friends, but I cannot be your friend.”
Answer: A
Rationale: It is appropriate to tell the client that the nurse enjoyed the time spent
with the client and will remember them, but it is inappropriate for the nurse to
agree to see the client outside the therapeutic relationship. Stating, “I do not make
it a habit” is not a professional nor tactful way to set the boundaries for
termination. Allowing the client to stop by at their leisure does not effectively
terminate the relationship and creates dependency on the nurse. Informing the
client that the nurse cannot be their friend may be truthful, but may also leave the
client with unresolved feelings of rejection.
Question format: Multiple Choice
Chapter 5: Therapeutic Relationships
Cognitive Level: Apply
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
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, Learning Objective: 7
Reference: p. 90, Termination
2. A client states, “I am just devastated that my marriage is falling apart.” Which
statement made by the nurse best demonstrates an empathetic response?
A. “I feel so bad for what you are going through.”
B. “You feel like your world is falling apart right now.”
C. “I have been divorced, too. I know how hard it is.”
D. “It will get better; let’s talk about it.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic communication techniques, such as reflection, restatement,
and clarification, help the nurse to send empathetic messages to the client. The
nurse’s statement, “You feel like your world is falling apart right now” restates the
client’s concern. The nurse must understand the difference between empathy and
sympathy (feelings of concern or compassion one shows for another). Sympathy
often shifts the emphasis to the nurse’s feelings (“I feel so bad for what you are
going through”), hindering the nurse’s ability to view the client’s needs objectively.
It is inaccurate and nontherapeutic to state that the nurse has experienced the
same feelings as the client. Stating that things will get better provides false
reassurance.
Question format: Multiple Choice
Chapter 5: Therapeutic Relationships
Cognitive Level: Apply
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
Learning Objective: 1
Reference: p. 81, Empathy
Download All Chapters Here:
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Therapeutic Relationships
1. The client is in the termination phase of the nurse-client
relationship after successfully meeting the outcomes of
counseling. The client states, “Now that this is over and you
won’t be seeing me professionally, let’s go out together.”
Which is the best response by the nurse?
A. “I have enjoyed spending time with you professionally but
it would be inappropriate for me to see you socially.”
B. “I do not make it a habit to see my clients outside of the professional setting so
we won’t be seeing each other again.”
C. “You are welcome to stop by and see me at any time in my office. I would be
happy to see you again.”
D. “Now that you are well again, it would be a good idea for you to go out and meet
new friends, but I cannot be your friend.”
Answer: A
Rationale: It is appropriate to tell the client that the nurse enjoyed the time spent
with the client and will remember them, but it is inappropriate for the nurse to
agree to see the client outside the therapeutic relationship. Stating, “I do not make
it a habit” is not a professional nor tactful way to set the boundaries for
termination. Allowing the client to stop by at their leisure does not effectively
terminate the relationship and creates dependency on the nurse. Informing the
client that the nurse cannot be their friend may be truthful, but may also leave the
client with unresolved feelings of rejection.
Question format: Multiple Choice
Chapter 5: Therapeutic Relationships
Cognitive Level: Apply
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
Download All Chapters Here:
96
https://nursydocs.com/product/psychiatric-mental-health-nursing-9th-
edition-by-sheila-l-videbeck-test-bank/
, Learning Objective: 7
Reference: p. 90, Termination
2. A client states, “I am just devastated that my marriage is falling apart.” Which
statement made by the nurse best demonstrates an empathetic response?
A. “I feel so bad for what you are going through.”
B. “You feel like your world is falling apart right now.”
C. “I have been divorced, too. I know how hard it is.”
D. “It will get better; let’s talk about it.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic communication techniques, such as reflection, restatement,
and clarification, help the nurse to send empathetic messages to the client. The
nurse’s statement, “You feel like your world is falling apart right now” restates the
client’s concern. The nurse must understand the difference between empathy and
sympathy (feelings of concern or compassion one shows for another). Sympathy
often shifts the emphasis to the nurse’s feelings (“I feel so bad for what you are
going through”), hindering the nurse’s ability to view the client’s needs objectively.
It is inaccurate and nontherapeutic to state that the nurse has experienced the
same feelings as the client. Stating that things will get better provides false
reassurance.
Question format: Multiple Choice
Chapter 5: Therapeutic Relationships
Cognitive Level: Apply
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
Learning Objective: 1
Reference: p. 81, Empathy
Download All Chapters Here:
97
https://nursydocs.com/product/psychiatric-mental-health-nursing-9th-
edition-by-sheila-l-videbeck-test-bank/
