UNIT IV MENTAL HEALTH TEST BANK
PRACTICE EXAM REVIEW Q&A
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. - Answer-ANSWER: D. Making observations
RATIONALE: 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. - Answer-ANSWER: A. Restatement
RATIONALE: 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 clients 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? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Formulating a plan of action
RATIONALE: 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 clients 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? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Yes, I
see. Go on.
RATIONALE: The nurses 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 nights sleep.
This is an example of which communication technique? - Answer-ANSWER: D. The
nontherapeutic technique of giving false reassurance
RATIONALE: The nurses statement, Things will look better tomorrow after a good
nights 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 clients 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? -
Answer-ANSWER: B. What would you like to talk about?
RATIONALE: The nurses 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 clients 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? - Answer-ANSWER: A. You appear to be talking to
someone I do not see.
RATIONALE: The nurse is making an observation when stating, You appear to be
talking to someone I do not see. Making observations involves verbalizing what is
observed or perceived. This encourages the client to recognize specific behaviors
and make comparisons with the nurses perceptions.
A nurse maintains an uncrossed arm and leg posture. This nonverbal behavior is
reflective of which letter of the SOLER acronym for active listening? - Answer-
ANSWER: B. O
RATIONALE: The nurse should identify that maintaining an uncrossed arm and leg
posture is nonverbal behavior that reflects the O in the active-listening acronym
SOLER. The acronym SOLER includes sitting squarely facing the client (S), open
posture when interacting with the client (O), leaning forward toward the client (L),
establishing eye contact (E), and relaxing (R).
An instructor is correcting a nursing students clinical worksheet. Which instructor
statement is the best example of effective feedback? - Answer-ANSWER: C. I
noticed that you used the clients name in your written process recording. That is a
breach of confidentiality.
RATIONALE: The instructors statement, I noticed that you used the clients name in
your written process recording, is an example of effective feedback. Feedback is a
, method of communication to help others consider a modification of behavior.
Feedback should be descriptive, specific, and directed toward a behavior that the
person has the capacity to modify and should impart information rather than offer
advice or criticism.
As the client and nurse move from the orientation stage to the working stage of the
therapeutic relationship, which is the nurses most therapeutic statement? - Answer-
ANSWER: C. Which identified problems would you like for us to initially address?
RATIONALE: When moving on a continuum from the orientation to working phase of
the nurse-client relationship, the clients identified goals are addressed through
mutual therapeutic work to promote client behavioral change.
What is the main goal of the working phase of the nurse-client therapeutic
relationship? - Answer-ANSWER: B. Resolution of the clients problems
RATIONALE: The goal of the working phase of the nurse-client therapeutic
relationship is to resolve client problems by promoting behavioral change.
Which client statement may indicate a transference reaction? - Answer-ANSWER: A.
I need a real nurse. You are young enough to be my daughter and I don't want to tell
you about my personal life.
RATIONALE: Transference occurs when a client unconsciously displaces or
transfers to the nurse feelings formed toward a person from the past.
Which nursing action demonstrates the role of the teacher in a therapeutic milieu? -
Answer-ANSWER: B. The nurse holds a group meeting to present common side
effects of psychiatric medications.
RATIONALE: The nurse, in the role of teacher, identifies learning needs and
provides information required by the client or family to improve the clients health.
Which client statement indicates that termination of the therapeutic nurse-client
relationship has been handled successfully? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Reviewing the
changes that have happened during our time together has helped me put things in
perspective.
Termination should begin in the orientation phase to minimize feelings of loss when
the nurse-client relationship ends. Bringing a therapeutic conclusion to the
relationship occurs when progress has been made toward attainment of mutually set
goals.
PRACTICE EXAM REVIEW Q&A
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. - Answer-ANSWER: D. Making observations
RATIONALE: 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. - Answer-ANSWER: A. Restatement
RATIONALE: 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 clients 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? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Formulating a plan of action
RATIONALE: 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 clients 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? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Yes, I
see. Go on.
RATIONALE: The nurses 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 nights sleep.
This is an example of which communication technique? - Answer-ANSWER: D. The
nontherapeutic technique of giving false reassurance
RATIONALE: The nurses statement, Things will look better tomorrow after a good
nights 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 clients 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? -
Answer-ANSWER: B. What would you like to talk about?
RATIONALE: The nurses 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 clients 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? - Answer-ANSWER: A. You appear to be talking to
someone I do not see.
RATIONALE: The nurse is making an observation when stating, You appear to be
talking to someone I do not see. Making observations involves verbalizing what is
observed or perceived. This encourages the client to recognize specific behaviors
and make comparisons with the nurses perceptions.
A nurse maintains an uncrossed arm and leg posture. This nonverbal behavior is
reflective of which letter of the SOLER acronym for active listening? - Answer-
ANSWER: B. O
RATIONALE: The nurse should identify that maintaining an uncrossed arm and leg
posture is nonverbal behavior that reflects the O in the active-listening acronym
SOLER. The acronym SOLER includes sitting squarely facing the client (S), open
posture when interacting with the client (O), leaning forward toward the client (L),
establishing eye contact (E), and relaxing (R).
An instructor is correcting a nursing students clinical worksheet. Which instructor
statement is the best example of effective feedback? - Answer-ANSWER: C. I
noticed that you used the clients name in your written process recording. That is a
breach of confidentiality.
RATIONALE: The instructors statement, I noticed that you used the clients name in
your written process recording, is an example of effective feedback. Feedback is a
, method of communication to help others consider a modification of behavior.
Feedback should be descriptive, specific, and directed toward a behavior that the
person has the capacity to modify and should impart information rather than offer
advice or criticism.
As the client and nurse move from the orientation stage to the working stage of the
therapeutic relationship, which is the nurses most therapeutic statement? - Answer-
ANSWER: C. Which identified problems would you like for us to initially address?
RATIONALE: When moving on a continuum from the orientation to working phase of
the nurse-client relationship, the clients identified goals are addressed through
mutual therapeutic work to promote client behavioral change.
What is the main goal of the working phase of the nurse-client therapeutic
relationship? - Answer-ANSWER: B. Resolution of the clients problems
RATIONALE: The goal of the working phase of the nurse-client therapeutic
relationship is to resolve client problems by promoting behavioral change.
Which client statement may indicate a transference reaction? - Answer-ANSWER: A.
I need a real nurse. You are young enough to be my daughter and I don't want to tell
you about my personal life.
RATIONALE: Transference occurs when a client unconsciously displaces or
transfers to the nurse feelings formed toward a person from the past.
Which nursing action demonstrates the role of the teacher in a therapeutic milieu? -
Answer-ANSWER: B. The nurse holds a group meeting to present common side
effects of psychiatric medications.
RATIONALE: The nurse, in the role of teacher, identifies learning needs and
provides information required by the client or family to improve the clients health.
Which client statement indicates that termination of the therapeutic nurse-client
relationship has been handled successfully? - Answer-ANSWER: C. Reviewing the
changes that have happened during our time together has helped me put things in
perspective.
Termination should begin in the orientation phase to minimize feelings of loss when
the nurse-client relationship ends. Bringing a therapeutic conclusion to the
relationship occurs when progress has been made toward attainment of mutually set
goals.
